Yoga Journal - 200 Key Sanskrit Yoga Terms:|
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"Guru" is one of those words that has often been misunderstood (now more than ever). From Wikipedia:
"The word guru means teacher in Sanskrit and other Sanskrit-derived languages like Hindi, Bengali and Gujarati. It originated in a Hindu context and holds a special place in Hinduism, signifying the sacred place of knowledge (vidya) and the imparter of knowledge. The word comes from the sanskrit root "gru" literally meaning heavy, weighty. Another etymology claimed in Hindu scriptures is that of dispeller of darkness (wherein darkness is seen as avidya, lack of knowledge both spiritual and intellectual), 'gu' meaning darkness, and 'ru' meaning dispeller."
However this information is not completely correct. I have been informed by Pushpa, whose teacher is a very knowledgeable and respected authority in Sanskrit, that
"The etymological claims that 'gu' means darkness and 'ru' means light therefore 'guru' literally means 'the one who brings you from darkness to light' is an idea popularised by frauds and is complete nonsense. Guru is an adjective in Sanskrit meaning heavy. So literally the guru as teacher is 'the heavy guy'."
See also Yoga Journal - 200 Key Sanskrit Yoga Terms:
Guru ("he who is heavy, weighty"): a spiritual teacher
and the Parapsychology Dictionary on Guru at Experience Festival:
"Guru:
Refers to the 'Spiritual Master'. One who has attained perfection in yoga. Also refers to the name for Jupiter as well as the general title for a 'teacher'. Guru literally means 'heavy' and refers to 'heavy with knowledge'. Jupiter is also the largest planet."
The origin of the incorrect definition ("gu and ru") that features on Wikipedia is obscure. Perhaps it originates from some 19th century scholar with only a superficial knowledge of Sanskrit, or probably more likely from a false guru pretending to be wise. In any case, it demonstrates the kind of mythmaking that is prevalent with false spiritual masters.
There might also (in addition to "heavy") be another definition, which is "difficult". One could interpret this as "the difficult one" or "the one who is difficult to understand". However, "Heavy" is the standard, and correct definition, although because of poor scholarship this is little known in the West.
I am a strong and enthusiastic supporter of 
Wikipedia, and I believe that the inherently "peer to peer" nature of Wikipedia means that eventually problems of indivdual bias will be rectified, assuming an enlightened, non-biased, and genuine aspiration for non-bias on the part of contributers. Unfortunately, the unavoidable physicalist and/or mainstream religionist orientation of many people, including (as representattives of the general population) a large number of wikipedia editors, have resulted in the Wikipedia page on the Guru containing information that is flawed and innaccurate, such as the false etymology already referred to. Other misleading elements of this page is an emphasise on cultism and controversy in the West, which has nothing to do with the origional social and spiritual function of the guru, although there is no denying that the proportion of fake gurus in the west is very high. This sort of bias is the inevitable outcome of the Wikipedia editorial process as regards highly controversial subjects like cults or new religions, or esoteric or occult concepts, by which people who have specific prejudices are driven by a personal agenda, and it is to be hoped that eventually the self-correcting nature of Wikipedia will mean that these mistakes can be corrected.
For an alternative point of view, see The Meaning of the Word Guru, by Madhava
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