Rippling
/ˈrɪp.lɪŋ/noun
Forming small waves or undulating in a series of slight curves.
Did you know?English ripple is believed to be a diminutive or expressive formation from the same Germanic base as rip, so the word’s history is basically a tiny wave born from an idea of splitting or tearing.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*rei-
“to scratch, cut, or tear”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*repaną
“to tear, rip”
Old English
OE
rippian
“to pluck or tear, and later to make a broken, rough motion”
Middle English
English
ripplen
“to form small waves or undulate”
Modern English
English
rippling
“forming small waves; moving in a series of slight undulations”