An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Wiebel

by Friedrich Kluge

Wiebel, masculine, ‘beetle,’ from Middle High German wibel, Old High German wibil, masculine; corresponding to Old Saxon wiƀil, Anglo-Saxon wifel, English weevil. The literal meaning of this word as a derivative of weben (see also Wespe) is probably ‘weaver’ (because it surrounds itself with a web on changing into a chrysalis state). Compare Lithuanian vabalas, ‘beetle.’