An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Zirbel

by Friedrich Kluge

Zirbel, f., in Zirbeldrüse, f.. ‘pineal gland,’ from MidHG. zirbel-, in zirbelwint, ‘whirlwind'; allied to MidHG. zirben, ‘to move in a circle, whirl,’ OHG. zerben, AS. tearflian, ‘to turn.’ The Teut. root tarb, ‘to whirl,’ cannot be traced farther back.