While many people believe that the word gratin means u0022cheeseu0022, the word gratin is actually derived from the French word grater or gratter, meaning u0022to grateu0022. One would assume that gratin then refers to grated cheese, however often times it also meant breadcrumbs and or cheese that is browned and crisped. (u003ca href=u0022https://culinarylore.com/dishes:what-does-au-gratin-mean/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eSourceu003c/au003e)