Etymology

From Middle French tavaiolle, from Italian tovagliola ‎(“napkin”), diminutive of tovaglia ‎(“tablecloth”), from Medieval Latin duvahila, toacula, toacla ‎(“towel”), from Frankish *þwahila ‎(“cloth”), from Proto-Germanic *þwahilō ‎(“wash-cloth"; literally, "something used for washing”), from Proto-Germanic *þwahaną ‎(“to wash”). Akin to Old High German dwahila ‎(“towel”) (German dialectal Zwehle), Dutch dwaal ‎(“a towel”), Old English þwēan ‎(“to wash”). More at touaille.