An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Rolle

by Friedrich Kluge

Rolle, f., ‘roll, roller, pulley, scroll, actor's part,’ from MidHG. rolle, rulle, f., ‘rotulus,’ also rodel, rottel, m. and f., ‘scroll, list, document’; formed from MidLat. rotulus, rotula, or rather the corresponding Rom. cognates. Comp. Ital. rotolo, rullo, Fr. rôle; whence also E. to roll, MidHG. and ModHG. rollen, Fr. rouler, Ital. rullare.