An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/rasseln

by Friedrich Kluge

rasseln, verb, ‘to rattle, clatter,’ from Middle High German raȥȥeln (from raȥȥen), ‘to bluster, rave,’ but based in meaning on Low German rateln, ‘to clatter’; compare Middle High German ratzen, ‘to rattle,’ Dutch rateln, ‘to clatter, chatter,’ ratel, ‘rattle, clapper,’ Anglo-Saxon hrœtele, English rattle. The Teutonic root hrat appearing in these words is connected with Greek κραδαίνω, ‘I swing.’