The verb 'stroll' emerged in English in the early 17th century, likely borrowed from dialectal German 'strollen', meaning 'to wander aimlessly' or 'to rove as a vagabond'. This German term may itself be related to the Swiss German 'strolchen', with a similar meaning of strolling or rambling. The word's deeper origins are obscure but are thought to be connected to a root implying a wandering or meandering motion. Over time, the word shed its earlier connotations of vagrancy and settled into its modern, pleasant sense of a leisurely, unhurried walk for enjoyment.

The word 'stroll' is a simplex word of Germanic origin, likely entering English via dialectal German or Swiss German. It functions as a single, unanalyzable unit in modern English.