plodding

(noun) hard monotonous routine work. Synonyms: drudgery, grind, donkeywork.

(noun) the act of walking with a slow heavy gait. Synonyms: plod. Example: "I could recognize his plod anywhere."

(verb) walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud. Synonyms: slog, footslog, plod, trudge, pad, tramp. Example: "Mules plodded in a circle around a grindstone."

(adj) (of movement) slow and laborious. Synonyms: leaden. Example: "Leaden steps."