- ripple (v.)
- 1660s, "to present a ruffled surface," of unknown origin, perhaps a frequentative of rip (v.). Related: Rippled; rippling.
- ripple (n.)
- "very small wave," 1798, from earlier meaning "stretch of shallow, rippling water" (1755), from ripple (v.). Meaning "ice cream streaked with colored syrup" first attested 1939, so called from its appearance.