From Medieval Latincrīdāre(“to cry out, publish, proclaim”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps from Latinquirito(“to shriek, wail”) (--Diez), or from Frankish*krītan(“to cry out, shout, proclaim”) (--Littré), compare Middle Dutchcrītan(“to cry”), Old High Germankrīzan(“to cry out, groan, wail”) (Germankreissen(“to wail, groan in labour”)).