Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - fray

 I. transitive verb  Etymology: Middle English fraien, short for affraien to af~  Date: 14th century archaic scare; also to frighten away  II. noun  Date: 14th century a usually disorderly or protracted fight, struggle, or dispute  III. verb  Etymology: Middle English fraien, from Anglo-French freier, froier to rub, from Latin fricare — more at friction  Date: 15th century  transitive verb  1.  a. to wear (as an edge of cloth) by or as if by rubbing ; fret  b. to separate the threads at the edge of  2. strain, irritate tempers became a bit ~ed  intransitive verb  1. to wear out or into shreds  2. to show signs of strain ~ing nerves  IV. noun  Date: 1630 a raveled place or worn spot (as on fabric)