giref

Etymology
Probably from. Compare with  and, both originally “rake, hoe, shovel”.

Alternatively it has been linked to, but this is less likely; also because Maltese g- almost never goes back to. Finally one should note, from , which (though clearly not the ultimate origin) might have influenced the sense and/or form.

Verb

 * 1) to scratch
 * 2) to steal, swindle