The superlative form of grizzly, meaning most gray-haired, grayish, or resembling a grizzly bear in appearance or temperament.
From grizzly (Old French griseld, meaning gray) plus the superlative suffix -est. The term evolved from descriptions of gray hair and fur to describe things that are grizzled or bear-like.
The word grizzly actually comes from the same root as 'gristle' and 'grist' — all connected to grain and granular texture, which is why grizzled hair looks speckled and rough like ground grain!
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