An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Kräusel

by Friedrich Kluge

Kräusel, m., ‘top,’ with the more frequent variant Kreisel, a corrupt form which arose from connecting Kräusel with the circular (kreisförmig) movement of a top; MidHG. *kriusel, MidG. krûsel, m., ‘top,’ a dimin. of Krause, hence lit. ‘small pitcher.’ Comp. the UpG. term Topf for ‘top.’