Probably from karath in the sense of executioner; a Kerethite or life-guardsman (compare tabbach) (only collectively in the singular as plural) -- Cherethims, Cherethites.
see HEBREW karath
see HEBREW tabbach
H3774. Kerethi
כְרֵתִי adjective, of a people, always with article, or plural, as substantive, Kerethites, a name for Philistines or a part of them (perhaps = Cretans, compare ᵐ5 Zephaniah 2:5; Ezekiel 25:15; on Crete as original home of Philistines, see מְּלִשְׁתִּי כַּפְתֹּר,); — הַכְּרֵתִי = substantive collective; — הַכּ ׳נֶגֶב 1 Samuel 30:14 (compare Dr; ᵐ5 B Ξολθει, ᵐ5L Ξορρι A Ξερηθει); of soldiers of David's guard, ׳הַכּ וְהַמְּלֵתִי 2 Samuel 8:18 (read ׳עַלהַֿכּ Th We Dr and others) = 1 Chronicles 18:17; 2 Samuel 15:18; 20:7 + 20:23 Qr ( > Kt הכרי), 1 Kings 1:38, 44 (ᵐ5 Ξελεθθει, Ξερεθθει, etc.); plural כְּרֵתִים Ezekiel 25:16 ("" מְּלִשְׁתִּים; ᵐ5. Κρῆτας); כְּרֵתִים גּוֺי Zephaniah 2:5 (ᵐ5 Κρητῶν; "" פלשׁתים ארץ): in 2:6 We reads כֶּרֶת = Philistia (see [כָרָה], below I. כרה).
כִּשְׂבָּה כֶּשֶׂב, see כֶבֶשׂ etc.