Braid originally meant "to draw a sword quickly" in Old English — the rapid interweaving motion of braiding was just one application of a verb that encompassed all swift, twisting movement.
A length of hair or thread made by interweaving three or more strands. Also a verb meaning to interweave strands, or an ornamental band of interlaced material.
From Old English bregdan (to move quickly, weave, braid, change), from Proto-Germanic *bregdaną (to move quickly, flash, weave), of uncertain deeper origin Key roots: *bregdaną (Proto-Germanic: "to move quickly, weave, pull, change").
Old English bregdan originally meant "to move quickly" or "to draw a sword" — braiding was just one application of the rapid interweaving motion. The verb could also mean "to change" or "to deceive" (as in 'upbraid' — originally to charge someone with a misdeed). Braiding hair and textiles is one of humanity's oldest technologies