[Sonic Youth 37]

Etymology 1

Old English fretan, from a base corresponding to for- + eat. Cognate with Dutch vreten, German fressen.
Verb
Infinitive
to fret
Third person singular
frets
Simple past
fretted or fret
Past participle
fretted or fretten(usually in compounds)
Present participle
fretting
to fret (third-person singular simple present frets, present participle fretting, simple past fretted or fret, past participle fretted or fretten(usually in compounds))

1. (transitive, obsolete/poetic) To devour, consume.
2. (transitive and intransitive) To gnaw, consume, eat away.
3. (transitive) To chafe or irritate; to worry.
4. (intransitive) To worry or be anxious.

Etymology 2
Origin unknown.
Noun
Singular
fret
Plural
frets

fret (plural frets)

1. (music) One of the pieces of metal/wood/plastic across the neck of a guitar or other musical instrument that marks note positions for fingering.
2. An ornamental pattern consisting of repeated vertical and horizontal lines (often in relief).

Wow...I just learned a whole lot.