An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Very small, numerous, and uniformly distributed water drops that may appear to float while following air currents. Unlike fog droplets, drizzle falls to the ground.

Etymology (EN): Drizzle, dryseling “a falling of dew,” from M.E. drysning, related to dreosan “to fall,” cf. O.S. driosan, Goth. driusan.

Etymology (PE): Narmé bârân literally “smooth rain,” from narmé, from narm “soft; smooth; mild,” Mid.Pers. narm + bârân, → rain.