spangle

The story

1. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*(s)penh₁-“to twist; to weave”
2. Proto-Germanic · derived from*spangō“brooch; clasp”
3. Middle Low German · derived fromspangel“small chain or clasp”
4. Middle Dutch · derived fromspange
5. Middle English · inherited fromspangel“small piece of ornamental metal, spangle; small ornament”
6. English todayspangle

The noun is derived from Middle English spangel (“small piece of ornamental metal, spangle; small ornament”) [and other forms], from spang (“small piece of ornamental metal, spangle; small ornament; type of bowl or cup”) + -el (diminutive suffix). Spang is derived from Middle Dutch spange, spaenge (“buckle, clasp; brooch; spangle”) (modern Dutch spang (“clasp; hook; metal hairband; metal pin”)), from Middle Low German spangel (“small chain or clasp”), from Proto-Germanic *spangō (“brooch; clasp”); further etymology uncertain, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *(s)penh₁- (“to twist; to weave”). The English word is analysable as spang + -le (diminutive suffix). The verb is derived from the noun.

Words from the same roots