rabble

rabble · verb¹

1. Middle English · inherited fromrablen“to ramble; rave; speak in a confused manner”
2. English todayrabble

First attested since 1300s, from Middle English rablen (“to ramble; rave; speak in a confused manner”), cognate with Middle Dutch rabbelen (“to talk; chatter; trifle”), Low German rabbeln, robbeln (“to chatter; prattle”).

rabble · noun²

1. Middle English · inherited fromrabel
2. English todayrabble

From Middle English rabel, probably from the verb (see above).

rabble · noun, verb³

1. Latin · derived fromrutabulum“a poker”
2. Old French · derived fromroable
3. English todayrabble

From Old French roable (modern French râble), from Latin rutabulum (“a poker”).

First known use, by meaning

• from late 14ᵗʰ c. A mob; a disorderly crowd.
• from 1550s The mass of common people; the lowest class of populace.