The term 'SOUND GRATING' is a combination of two words, 'SOUND' and 'GRATING'. SOUND is a vibration that travels through the air and can be heard when it reaches a person's ear. GRATING is a surface with many small openings or holes that allow SOUND to pass through. The crossword solution for this term is 'RASP', which is a type of SOUND that is rough and harsh. It is usually created by rubbing or scraping something against a hard surface. Rasping is often used to create a musical effect in some genres of music.