Etymology Map
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Grab

2 stages from Middle Dutch to English.

Today it means to grasp or seize suddenly and roughly

Where does the word "grab" come from? It comes from Middle Dutch grabben, adopted directly into English (1580s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
grabben
Middle Dutch · medieval
"to seize"
related to 'grip', 'grope' and 'grasp'
2
Stage 2 of 2
grab
English · 1580s
"to seize suddenly"
probably came through North Sea trade; 'up for grabs' is 1920s American slang
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Read the full story

Grab’s story begins in Middle Dutch: grabben meant “to seize.” Related to 'grip', 'grope' and 'grasp'. It reached English by 1580s as grab. Probably came through North Sea trade; 'up for grabs' is 1920s American slang. Today, grab means to grasp or seize suddenly and roughly.