Meaning

noun a small wave on the surface of a liquid

noun (electronics) an oscillation of small amplitude imposed on top of a steady value

verb stir up (water) so as to form ripples

originCompare German Low German Repel, Dutch repel, German Riffel, extended forms (with instrumental or diminutive -le) of Low German Repe (“ripple”), Dutch repe (“ripple”). Compare also Dutch repen, German reffen, Swedish repa (“to beat; ripple”). The verb is from Middle English ripplen, rypelen. Compare Low German repelen, Dutch repelen, German riffeln.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0