An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Wirbel

by Friedrich Kluge

Wirbel, m., ‘whirl, vortex, whirlpool, bustle, crown (of the head),’ from MidHG. wirbel, m., ‘vortex, crown (of the head), whirl,’ OHG. wirbil, wirfil, m., ‘whirlwind’; comp. OIc. hvirfell, ‘vortex, E. whirl. Derivatives of the Teut. root hwerb (hwerf), ‘to turn’ (see werben). With regard to Ropfwirbel note the evolution of meaning in Scheitel.