v.; also 4 bi-, bygrucche(n, bygroch, 7–8 begrutch. [f. BE- + GRUDGE, ME. grucchen to murmur.] To grumble at, show dissatisfaction with; esp. to envy (one) the possession of; to give reluctantly, to be reluctant.
a. trans., and with inf. obj.
1362. Langl., P. Pl., A. VII. 62. And make him murie with þe Corn · hose hit euere bigruccheþ.
1642. Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., II. xix. 125. Our Souldier … begrutcheth not to get to his side a probability of victory by the certainty of his own death.
1658. A. Fox, Würtz’ Surg., II. xxv. 149. Begrudge not your labour you bestow.
1702. C. Mather, Magn. Chr., III. III. (1852), 551. To begrutch the cost of a school.
1711. Shaftesb., Charac., III. 290. They will … begrudg the pains of attending.
1861. National Rev., Oct., 413. They did begrudge to pay the smart.
1862. Trollope, Orley F., xiii. 91. He had begrudged her nothing.
b. intr. rare. Obs.
1690. Penn, Rise & Progr. Quakers (1834), 69. And not begrudge at one anothers increase.
Hence Begrudged ppl. a.
1840. R. H. Dana, Bef. Mast, xxxi. 117. Our common beverage—‘water bewitched, and tea begrudged.’
