'tumble' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'tumblen', where 'tumb-' meant 'to fall' and '-le' was a frequentative suffix.

'tumblen' changed from Old English word 'tumbian' and eventually became the modern English word 'tumble'.

Initially, it meant 'to dance or leap', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to fall suddenly'.