mid-15c., a child's toy, from whirl (v.) + gig (see gig (n.1)). Meaning "anything in constant motion" is from 1580s; "fickle, flighty person" is from c. 1600; as a type of water beetle, from 1713.
whipping
whippoorwill
whip-saw
whir
whirl
whirligig
whirlpool
whirlwind
whisk
whisker
whiskey