Rasp (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rasped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Rasping.] [OF. rasper, F. raper, to scrape, grate, rasp, fr. OHG. rasp&omac;n to scrape together, to collect, probably akin to E. rap. Cf. Rap to snatch.]
1.
To rub or file with a rasp; to rub or grate with a rough file; as, to rasp wood to make it smooth; to rasp bones to powder.
2.
Hence, figuratively: To grate harshly upon; to offend by coarse or rough treatment or language; as, some sounds rasp the ear; his insults rasped my temper.
© Webster 1913.
Rasp, n. [OE. raspe, OF. raspe, F. rape. See Rasp, v.]
1.
A coarse file, on which the cutting prominences are distinct points raised by the oblique stroke of a sharp punch, instead of lines raised by a chisel, as on the true file.
2.
The raspberry.
[Obs.] "Set sorrel amongst
rasps, and the
rasps will be smaller."
Bacon.
Rasp palm Bot., a Brazilian palm tree (Iriartea exorhiza) which has strong aerial roots like a screw pine. The roots have a hard, rough surface, and are used by the natives for graters and rasps, whence the common name.
© Webster 1913.