grouse
UK[ɡraʊs]US[ɡraʊs]
n
a small, fat bird with feathered legs, shot for sport and food.
n
a complaint or grumble.
v
to complain or grumble persistently.
Etymology
the word 'grouse' presents a fascinating etymological duality. the name for the game bird first appeared in the early 16th century, its origin uncertain but possibly derived from the medieval latin 'gruta' or the old french 'grioche'. the entirely separate meaning, "to complain," emerged in late 19th century british military slang. its origin is also obscure, with no clear connection to the bird; it may be a figurative use or, as some suggest, a back-formation from the old french 'groucier' (to murmur, grumble). this convergence of two unrelated linguistic streams into a single modern spelling is a classic example of homonymy in english.
Analysis
this word is a simplex. its two distinct meanings have separate, obscure etymologies and cannot be logically segmented into smaller meaningful parts from the modern english spelling.
Examples
we went into the scottish moors to hunt grouse.
his only grouse was about the lack of parking space near the office.
it's no use grousing about the weather; we have to play the match regardless.