grub

v. t. 1. To dig; to dig up by the roots; to root out by digging; -- followed by up; as, to grub up trees, rushes, or sedge. [ 1913 Webster ]

They do not attempt to grub up the root of sin. Hare. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To supply with food. [ Slang ] Dickens. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. (Zool.) The larva of an insect, especially of a beetle; -- called also grubworm. See Illust. of Goldsmith beetle, under Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]

Yet your butterfly was a grub. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A short, thick man; a dwarf. [ Obs. ] Carew. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Victuals; food. [ Slang ] Halliwell. [ 1913 Webster ]

Grub ax or
Grub axe, a kind of mattock used in grubbing up roots, etc. --
Grub breaker. Same as Grub hook (below). --
Grub hoe, a heavy hoe for grubbing. --
Grub hook, a plowlike implement for uprooting stumps, breaking roots, etc. --
Grub saw, a handsaw used for sawing marble. --
Grub Street, a street in London (now called Milton Street), described by Dr. Johnson as “much inhabited by writers of small histories, dictionaries, and temporary poems, whence any mean production is called grubstreet.” As an adjective, suitable to, or resembling the production of, Grub Street. [ 1913 Webster ] I 'd sooner ballads write, and grubstreet lays. Gap. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, grubs; especially, a machine or tool of the nature of a grub ax, grub hook, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. & i. [ Freq. of grub, but cf. grabble. ] To feel or grope in the dark. [ Obs. ] Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ From Grub. ] Dirty; unclean. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The grubby game of marbles. Lond. Sat. Rev. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) Any species of Cottus; a sculpin. [ Local, U. S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]