An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/kritzeln

by Friedrich Kluge

kritzeln, vb., ‘to scribble,’ dimin. of MidHG. kritzen, ‘to scrawl,’ OHG. chrizzôn, ‘to scratch or cut into.’ It is probably connected with kratzen, OHG. chrazzôn, as well as with OIc. krota, ‘to engrave, stamp.’ If this is not approved, it may be allied to Kreis (root krī̆t); kritjôn (whence chrizzôn) would then mean ‘to draw lines.’