An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Griesgram

by Friedrich Kluge

Griesgram, m., ‘ill-humour, spleen,’ from MidHG. grisgram, m., ‘gnashing of teeth’; allied to MidHG. grisgramen, -grammen, ‘to gnash with the teeth, snarl,’ OHG. grisgramôn, gristgrimmôn, ‘to gnash,’ AS. gristbîtung, ‘gnashing of teeth.’ The first syllable represents grist-, but that does not make the early history of the word clearer.