Gnaw

глагол 1) грызть, глодать; прогрызать Например: The rabbits escaped by gnawing (away) at the fence until they had made a hole big enough to get through. — Кролики сбежали, сумев прогрызть в ограде достаточно большую дыру. 2) разъедать (о разрушающих веществах; о боли) Синоним(ы): corrode, consume 3) беспокоить, терзать Например: Sorrow is gnawing at my heart. — Тоска гложет моё сердце.

Большой англо-русский словарь

Gnaw

verb Etymology: Middle English gnawen, from Old English gnagan; akin to Old High German gnagan to gnaw transitive verb 1. a. to bite or chew on with the teeth; especially to wear away by persistent biting or nibbling Example: a dog gnawing a bone b. to make by gnawing Example: rats gnawed a hole 2. a. to be a source of vexation to; plague Example: anxiety always gnawing him b. to affect like gnawing Example: hunger gnawing her vitals 3. erode, corrode intransitive verb 1. to bite or nibble persistently Example: gnawing at his underlip 2. to produce an effect of or as if of gnawing Example: waves gnawing away at the cliffsgnawer noun

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary