*hringaz^²

Of uncertain origin. Orel tentatively connects the word to the "ring, circle" of Etymology 1, i.e. "the noise that clashing rings make". Other theories derive the word from a Proto-Indo-European *(s)kreg-, *(s)kArg-, *(s)kArk- (‘to caw, crow, croak, pipe, shout’), and compare Lithuanian krañkti (‘to caw, cough, croak’). Alternatively, an intra-Germanic onomatopoeic formation.