'quibble' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'quibblen' (early modern use), where it was used to mean 'make light of or mock'.

'quibble' changed from Middle English word 'quibblen' and earlier dialect forms (such as 'quib') and eventually became the modern English word 'quibble' and the derived noun 'quibbler'.

Initially, it meant 'to mock, jest, or evade directly' (an element of making light of something); over time it shifted to the narrower sense 'to raise trivial objections' used today.