transitive verb fretted fret′·ted, fretting fret′·ting

1. to eat away; gnaw
2. to wear away by gnawing, rubbing, corroding, etc.
3. to make or form by wearing away
4. to make rough; disturb wind fretting the water
5. to irritate; vex; annoy; worry

Etymology: ME freten < OE fretan, to devour, akin to Ger fressen, Goth fra-itan < Gmc prefix *fra- (OE for-: see for-) + *itan, to eat (OE etan: see eat)

intransitive verb

1. to gnaw (into, on, or upon)
2. to become eaten, corroded, worn, frayed, etc.
3. to become rough or disturbed
4. to be irritated, annoyed, or querulous; worry

noun

1. a wearing away
2. a worn place
3. irritation; worry