'gobbler' originates from English verb 'gobble', which in turn comes from Old French 'gober' meaning 'to gulp down' (imitative in origin); the agent suffix '-er' forms 'gobbler'.

'gobble' came into Middle English from Old French 'gober'; English formed the agent noun 'gobbler' (the one who gobbles), and the specific use for a male turkey developed later by reference to the bird's gobbling sound.

Initially it referred simply to the action 'to gulp or eat quickly'; over time the agent form 'gobbler' came to denote both 'one who gobbles' and specifically a male turkey (because of its gobbling call).