'whistle' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'hwistle,' where 'hwis-' meant 'to hiss or whistle.'

'hwistle' transformed into the Middle English word 'whistlen,' and eventually became the modern English word 'whistle.'

Initially, it meant 'to make a hissing sound,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to produce a high-pitched sound.'