Etymology

Cp. cognates in continental WGmc (MDu cākelen, LG kākeln) and the continental Scandinavian languages (Norw kagle, kakla, Sw kackla, Dan kagle). An unrecorded native variant is the most likely source of the ME word, and because the word is ultimately of sound-symbolic origin (imitative of bird calls, esp. hens and geese), the failure of palatalization is not a reliable test. 

PGmc Ancestor

Proposed ON Etymon (OIcel representative)

(ONP )

Other Scandinavian Reflexes

Norw kakla, kagle, Dan kagle, Sw kackla

OE Cognate

Phonological and morphological markers

Summary category

BBB2a

Attestation

Several, widespread occurrences in ME (since AW).

Occurrences in the Gersum Corpus

Gaw 1412

Bibliography

MED cakelen (v.) , OED cackle (v.1) , HTOED , Dance cakled, Bj. 244, Torp NnEO kakla (2), Falk-Torp kagle, Hellquist kackla, Nielsen kagle