'grouser' originates from English, specifically formed from the word 'grouse' with the agentive suffix '-er', where 'grouse' meant 'to complain'.

'grouser' developed in English by adding '-er' to Middle English 'grousen'/'grouse' (to grumble), producing the agent noun 'grouser'; later the term was also extended in technical contexts to mean a traction lug.

Initially, it meant 'a person who complains', but over time it was also applied to mean 'a projecting rib or lug that improves traction' in engineering usage.