late 13c., "gossip, slanderous conversation, dispute," from Old French jangle, from jangler (see jangle, v.). Meaning "discordant sound" is from 1795.

c.1300, jangeln, "to talk excessively, chatter, talk idly," from Old French jangler "to chatter, gossip, bawl, argue noisily" (12c.), perhaps from Frankish *jangelon "to jeer" or some other Germanic source (compare Middle Dutch jangelen "to whine"). Meaning "make harsh noise" is first recorded late 15c. Related: Jangled; jangling.