'chatter' originates from Middle English, likely from an imitative (onomatopoeic) source such as Middle English 'chateren' representing rapid, repeated sounds.

'chatter' developed from Middle English 'chateren' and similar medieval forms that imitated short, rapid noises; over time it became the modern English 'chatter'.

Initially, it referred mainly to rapid, repeated sounds (e.g., of birds or teeth); over time the sense broadened to include rapid, trivial speech (idle talk).