C17: from Low German greven; related to Old High German griubo
Greaves in British English
(ɡriːvz)
noun
Jimmy. born 1940, English footballer and television commentator on the sport; played for a number of clubs including Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea; scored 44 goals in 57 matches for England (1959–67)
greaves in American English
(grivz)
plural noun
the sediment of skin, etc. formed when animal fat is melted down for tallow; specif., cracklings
Word origin
whaling term < LowG greven, pl., MDu grēve, akin to Ger griebe: basic sense “coarse elements that will not melt”: for IE base see great
Examples of 'greaves' in a sentence
greaves
He had bronze greaves on his legs in case someone tried to take him out from underneath.