O.E.
græf "grave, ditch," from P.Gmc.
*graban (cf. O.S.
graf, O.Fris.
gref, O.H.G.
grab "grave, tomb;" O.N.
gröf "cave," Goth.
graba "ditch"), from PIE base
*ghrebh-/*ghrobh- "to dig, to scratch, to scrape" (cf. O.C.S.
grobu "grave, tomb"); related to
grafan "to dig" (see
grave (v.)). From Middle Ages to 17c., they were temporary, crudely marked repositories from which the bones were removed to ossuaries after some years and the grave used for a fresh burial. "Perpetual graves" became common from c.1650. To
make (someone) turn in his grave "behave in some way that would have offended the dead person" is first recorded 1888.
Graveyard shift "late-night work" is c.1907, from earlier nautical term, in reference to the loneliness of after-hours work.
[grey-vuh
n] 
