"frame turning on an axis," late Old English hreol "reel for winding thread," from Proto-Germanic *khrekhulaz; probably related to hrægel "garment," and Old Norse hræll "spindle." Specifically of the fishing rod attachment from 1726; of a film projector apparatus from 1896. The verb meaning "to wind on a reel" is recorded from late 14c., from the noun. To reel off "rattle off without pause or effort" is from 1837. Reel-to-reel type of tape deck is attested from 1958.