verb (used without object), verb (used with object), grizzled, grizzling.
1.
to make or become gray or partly gray.
adjective
2.
gray; grayish; devoid of hue.
noun
3.
gray or partly gray hair.
4.
a gray wig.
Origin
1350-1400;Middle Englishgrisel < Old French, derivative of gris gray < Germanic; see griseous
grizzle2
[griz-uh l] /ˈgrɪz əl/
verb (used without object), grizzled, grizzling. British
1.
to complain; whimper; whine.
2.
to laugh or grin in mockery; sneer.
Origin
1740-50; origin uncertain; compare Middle High Germangrisgramen to gnash one's teeth, GermanGriesgram sourpuss
Related forms
grizzler, noun
British Dictionary definitions for grizzle
grizzle1
/ˈɡrɪzəl/
verb
1.
to make or become grey
noun
2.
a grey colour
3.
grey or partly grey hair
4.
a grey wig
Word Origin
C15: from Old French grisel, from gris, of Germanic origin; compare Middle High German grīs grey
grizzle2
/ˈɡrɪzəl/
verb (intransitive) (informal, mainly Brit)
1.
(esp of a child) to fret; whine
2.
to sulk or grumble
Derived Forms
grizzler, noun
Word Origin
C18: of Germanic origin; compare Old High German grist-grimmōn gnashing of teeth, German Griesgram unpleasant person
Word Origin and History for grizzle
adj.
"gray-colored," early 15c., from Old French grisel (see grizzled) which also meant "gray-haired old man" (a noun sense recorded in Middle English from mid-14c.). The verb, "to make gray," is attested from 1740.