An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A powerful water current moving rapidly in a circular manner, as that produced by the meeting of opposing currents, sucking down anything that comes within. → Whirlpool galaxy.

Etymology (EN): From whirl “to turn around,” from M.E. whirlen, from O.N. hvirfla “to whirl,” cognate with O.E. hweorfan “to turn;”

• → pool “a body of water.”

Etymology (PE): Gerdâb “whirlpool,” from gerd from gardidan “to turn” (→ -tropic) + âb, → water.