MDu. MLG ferpel and MHG vrevel(e) correspond to a large degree in their form and meaning. This renders it plausible that they reflect a common source. Yet since (M)Du. p does not normally correspond with (M)HG v from PGmc. *f, the origin of ferpel has hitherto been regarded as unknown. This paper proposes that the Merovingian legal term farfalius provides a confirmation of the etymological connection between ferpel and Frevel.