"knife, machine, or other device for shredding," 1570s, agent noun from shred (v.). In the paper-disposal sense by 1950.
Entries linking to shredder
shred v.
Middle English shreden, "chop, cut up into small strips or slices," from Old English screadian "to peel, prune, cut off," from Proto-Germanic *skraud- (source also of Middle Dutch scroden, Dutch schroeien, Old High German scrotan, German schroten "to shred"), from root of shred (n.). In reference to the destruction of documents, by 1906. Related: Shredded; shredding.