giref

Probably from Arabic جَرَفَ (jarafa, “to sweep away, scoop, shovel”). Compare gerriefa (“kind of hoe”) with Arabic جَرّافة (jarrāfa) and مِجْرَفة (mijrafa), both originally meaning “rake, hoe, shovel”.

Alternatively, it has been linked to قَرَفَ (qarafa, “to peel, decorticate”), though this is less likely, partly because the Maltese ⟨g⟩ almost never derives from Arabic ق (q). However, geddum is an example where such a phonological shift is attested.

Finally, it is worth noting Old French grifer (“to scratch”), from Proto-Germanic *grīpaną, which, although clearly not the original source, may have influenced the word's meaning or form.

• IPA^(key): /ˈɡɪ.rɛf/

giref (imperfect jigref, past participle migruf, verbal noun grif)

1. to scratch
2. to steal, swindle