Word Origin & History
rivulet
1587, from It. rivoletto, dim. of rivolo, itself a dim., from L. rivus "stream, brook," from *reiwos, lit. "that which flows," from PIE base *rei- "to flow" (cf. Skt. rinati "causes to flow," ritih "stream, course;" O.C.S. reka "river;" M.Ir. rian "river, way;" Goth. rinnan "run, flow," rinno "brook;" M.L.G. ride "brook;" O.E. riþ "stream").