The Spanish word 'trigo' (meaning 'wheat') comes from the Latin word 'triticum', which also meant 'wheat'. The Latin word has an interesting literal meaning - it comes from the verb 'terere' meaning 'to grind or wear down', so 'triticum' literally meant 'that which is ground'. This makes perfect sense since wheat's primary purpose was (and still is) to be ground into flour!

Some related Spanish words include 'triturar' (to grind or crush) and 'trillar' (to thresh grain), which share the same Latin root 'terere' meaning 'to grind'. These words maintain the connection to the grinding or processing of grains.

English speakers might recognize this etymology in words like 'trite' (worn out from repetition) and 'attrition' (gradually wearing down), which come from the same Latin root 'terere'. While these words have moved away from the specific meaning of grinding grain, they maintain the core concept of wearing down or grinding.