An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/kritzeln

by Friedrich Kluge

kritzeln, verb, ‘to scribble,’ diminutive of Middle High German kritzen, ‘to scrawl,’ Old High German chrizzôn, ‘to scratch or cut into.’ It is probably connected with kratzen, Old High German chrazzôn, as well as with Old Icelandic krota, ‘to engrave, stamp.’ If this is not approved, it may be allied to Kreis (root krī̆t); kritjôn (whence chrizzôn) would then mean ‘to draw lines.’