gru·el \ˈgrü]əl, -u̇]əl also -ü]l, chiefly Brit ](ˌ)il\noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English grewel, from Middle French gruel, from Old French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English grūt grout — more at grout 1.: a liquid food made by boiling a cereal (as cornmeal, oatmeal, flour) in water or milk : thin porridge 2.chiefly Britain: punishment, medicine; sometimes: death < the Labor rank and file took their gruel wonderfully well — Spectator >