'babble' originates from Middle English and Old French influence (e.g. Middle English 'babelen', Old French 'babiller'), likely imitative in origin, reproducing the sound of rapid or foolish talk.

'babble' changed from Middle English 'babelen' and Old French 'babiller' and eventually became the modern English word 'babble' and its derivatives such as 'babbling' and 'babblings'.

Initially, it meant an imitative sound of chattering or prattling; over time it maintained the core sense of incoherent or continuous talking and also came to describe murmuring sounds (e.g., of a brook).