An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/nergeln

by Friedrich Kluge

nergeln, nörgeln, vb., ‘to grumble, growl,’ ModHG. only, of obscure origin; in Bav. the vb. signifies ‘to speak indistinctly’ (espec. in a guttural fashion or through the nose). Allied perhaps to Du. nurken, ‘to grumble, growl’?.