Origin of the word
происхождение слова
Old English singan- to chant, sing, celebrate,
or tell in song, also used of birds, from Proto-Germanic sengwan (source also of Old Saxon singan).
The criminal slang sense of "to confess to authorities" is attested from 1610s.
No related forms in other languages, unless perhaps it is connected to Greek omphe "voice" (especially of a god), "oracle;" and Welsh dehongli "explain, interpret." The typical Indo-European root is represented by Latin canere .Other words meaning "sing" derive from roots meaning "cry, shout.