The word "gloat" means to take great pleasure in someone's misfortune or to boast about one’s own success in a smug or overly self-satisfied way. It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting a lack of empathy towards others.
The word "gloat" comes from the Middle English word "gloten," which means "to stare or gaze." It is related to the Old Norse word "glot," meaning “to look, stare,” and became associated with an expression of self-satisfaction or enjoyment at another's misfortune.