Meaning

noun a reproach for some lapse or misdeed

noun a gentle blow

noun the sound made by a gentle blow

originFrom 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.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0