rap

rap · noun¹

1. North Germanic · derived from
2. Middle English · derived fromrap
3. English todayrap

From Middle English rap, rappe, of North Germanic origin, related to Norwegian rapp (“a blow, strike, lash”), Swedish rapp (“a blow, lash, crack”), Danish rap (“a tap, smart, blow”). Compare Old English hreppan (“to touch, treat”). More at rape.

rap · verb²

1. North Germanic · derived from
2. Middle English · derived fromrappen
3. English todayrap

From Middle English rappen, of North Germanic origin, related to Swedish rappa (“to strike, beat, rap”), German rappeln (“to rattle”).

rap · noun³

Uncertain.

rap · noun⁴

Perhaps contracted from rapparee.

rap · noun⁵

From RAP (“record of arrest and prosecution”).