n.
  - the larva of an insect, especially a beetle. 
▸a maggot or small caterpillar.
 - informal food.
 
v.
 (grubs, grubbing, grubbed)
   - dig shallowly in soil. 
▸
(grub something up)
 dig something up.
 - search clumsily and unmethodically.
 - do demeaning work in order to achieve something.
 
 
  Etymology
  ME: perh. rel. to Du. grobbelen, also to grave1.