Some of the references I looked at tell me that it is earliest form as the crushed pieces of rock candy being compared to small stones or grit that gave sugar its name.

There the cane is weighed, washed, tipped onto a conveyor belt, crushed and then, depending on market conditions, crystallised into sugar or distilled into ethanol.

In a short glass, muddle fresh limes with two teaspoons of sugar, add loads of crushed ice and then pour a good quality vodka over the lot.