Present participle of 'grub'; the action of digging in soil, searching for something with effort, or eating greedily.
From Middle English 'grubben,' from Old English 'grafan' (to dig), related to grave (grave meaning trench). The -ing suffix marks present participle form.
Grubbing has kept multiple meanings alive—literal digging, desperate searching ('grubbing for money'), and eating messy food—each use paints a vivid picture of effort or messiness!
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