Etymology: Apparently < Middle Dutch tingel- (in e.g. tingeliser , literally ‘tingle iron’, tingelspiker , literally ‘tingle spike’ (Dutch tingelspijker )), probably < tingelen to seal up gaps between boards or planks (typically using narrow battens and small spikes), further origin uncertain (see note). With sense 2 compare Dutch tengel , tingel batten (or later, strip of metal) typically used to cover or seal joints between boards or planks (1727 or earlier; 1671 denoting a specific piece of wood in shipbuilding). Compare ( < Dutch) Middle French tingle batten used to seal or cover the joint between planks or boards (1328; compare Middle French, French tringle tringle n.), tingler to seal in this way (1328), clou tingleret, clou tingneret nail used for this purpose (1342), and (probably < the French verb) post-classical Latin tingulare (late 14th cent. in a source from France).The Middle Dutch word probably ultimately derives from Middle Dutch tang pair of tongs (or its Germanic base: see tongs n.); with the semantic development perhaps compare ( < the same base) Old Icelandic tengja to fasten (see tinger n.¹). The suffix may reflect -elen -le suffix 3 (or its Germanic base) or perhaps (if originally a noun) -el -el suffix¹. With the latter possibility compare Dutch tengel claw of a crab, literally ‘small pair of tongs’ (1625; < tang + -el ). Suggested Germanic parallels. Perhaps compare Middle Low German tengelen to hammer small nails, although this has alternatively been interpreted as a borrowing < Middle High German tengelen to hammer (see ding v.¹). N.E.D. (1911) suggested a relationship with Middle High German zingel little tack, little hook, but this is more likely to be an independent formation < zinge , variant of zinke prong (see zinke n.) + -el -el suffix¹. The early compound tingle nail . A direct model for the compound tingle nail does not appear to be attested in Middle Dutch (Dutch tengelnagel is rare and apparently only attested from the 19th cent. onwards). However, compare Middle Dutch tenghenagele, tengnaghel, which may have originated as a variant of *tengelnagel (with simplification of the cluster -ln-); this is perhaps reflected by following earlier (and apparently isolated) English example:1259 in L. F. Salzman Building in Eng. (1992) xix. 314 Tyngnaill.

Etymology: Shortened < whelk-tingle n. at whelk n.¹ Compounds 2.

Etymology: Either (i) < an element of imitative origin (compare ting v.) + -le suffix 3, or (ii) a variant or alteration of tinkle v.¹In Middle English, senses 1 and 2 show considerable overlap with tinkle v.¹ 1. See the etymology at that entry for further discussion, and also for further parallels for both words. Compare Dutch tingelen to cause or experience a biting, stinging, or burning sensation (16th cent.; probably < tengel , tingel nettle), and also Dutch tingelen to produce a series of short, clear, relatively weak sounds, such as that of a triangle (18th cent.; probably of imitative origin). With sense 3a compare classical Latin auriculas tinnīre to tingle or tickle the ears (see further tinkle v.¹).

Etymology: < tingle v.