- rant (v.)
- 1590s, from Dutch randten "talk foolishly, rave," of unknown origin (cf. German rantzen "to frolic, spring about"). Related: Ranted; ranting. Ranters "antinomian sect which arose in England c.1645" is attested from 1651; applied 1823 to early Methodists. A 1700 slang dictionary has rantipole "a rude wild Boy or Girl."
- rant (n.)
- 1640s, from rant (v.).