moppet

1601, "endearing term for a baby, a girl, etc.," from M.E. moppe "little child, baby doll" (c.1440) + -et, dim. suffix. The M.E. word also meant "simpleton, fool," and may have been cognate with Low Ger. mop "simpleton." Or, if "baby doll" is the original sense in M.E., perhaps from L. mappa "napkin, tablecloth," hence "rag doll."