the word 'streusel' is a direct borrowing from german, where 'streusel' means "something scattered" or "sprinklings." it is derived from the german verb 'streuen,' meaning "to scatter" or "to sprinkle." this verb itself has old high german origins in 'strewen,' which is cognate with the english verb 'strew.' the culinary term entered english in the 19th century, retaining its german spelling and referring specifically to the crumbly, scattered topping on cakes and pastries. the logic of the word is transparent in its source language, directly linking the action of sprinkling with the finished product.

this word is a loanword from german. it is not productively segmented into meaningful morphemes in english.