Word of the day: GRUFF

Gruff:  áspero, rude, brusco

Synonyms: coarse, croaking, croaky, grating, gravel, gravelly, hoarse, husky, rasping, raspy, rusty, scratchy, throaty

“Don't be fooled by his gruff manner—he's really very kind.”

“He spoke in a gruff voice.”   (www.merriam-webster.com)