Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1400-1500
Language: Dutch
Origin: grof

gruff

 adjective
     
gruff
speaking in a rough, unfriendly voice:
His manner can be rather gruff.
a gruff reply
His voice became gruff.
—gruffly adverb
—gruffness noun [uncountable]
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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