Etymology From Middle English rivelen, from Old English rifelan, riflian (“to wrinkle”), from a frequentative form of Proto-Germanic *ribjōną (“to wrap; wind; roll; twist; coil”), equivalent to rive + -el (frequentative suffix). Related to Old Norse rifja (“to rake (hay) into rows or furrows”).
1
To shrivel, wrinkle (up).
2
To cause to be wrinkled, to shrivel.
they crucify the soul of man, attenuate our bodies, dry them, wither them, rivel them up like old apples, make them as so many anatomies […], New York Review of Books, 2001, p.279
rivel
noun
Etymology From Middle English rivelen, from Old English rifelan, riflian (“to wrinkle”), from a frequentative form of Proto-Germanic *ribjōną (“to wrap; wind; roll; twist; coil”), equivalent to rive + -el (frequentative suffix). Related to Old Norse rifja (“to rake (hay) into rows or furrows”).
It wanteth the due parching and ripening against the sunne: and by that meanes commeth short of the rivels and blacknesse that the outlandish pepper hath.1601, C[aius] Plinius Secundus [i.e., Pliny the Elder], “[Book XII.]”, in Philemon Holland, transl., The Historie of the World. Commonly Called, The Naturall Historie of C. Plinius Secundus. […], (please specify |tome=1 or 2), London: […] Adam Islip, →OCLC:
rivel
noun
Etymology Probably from (Pennsylvania German, from) Palatine Rhine Franconian Riwwel, Ribbel, Riebel (compare Volga German Rievel, Ribel, Riebel).
1
US A kind of small dumpling made from egg and wheat flour, often eaten in soup, especially among the Pennsylvania Dutch and other Germans.