What is the origin of the expression to "peter out" meaning to dwindle?

Solution 1:

I found some discussion of it in The Dial, Volume 45:

"Tapering down to nothing" does seem to be the common imagery.

Solution 2:

My perception is that the saying is not specific to the USA and has likely predated the USA in the British empire. Many of our sayings have origins in ancient belief systems or mythologies. Most of the European world, including the British empire was influenced by the Christian religion and associated stories about St. Peter in particular. This background information, for me, strongly supports the idea that to "Peter out" is related to the St. Peter story of his loss of faith and denial of Jesus before the crucifixion.

Solution 3:

I think that the Latin word for rock may well explain the term "peter out." The dwindling of a vein of ore to mere rock could result in such a term. The ore "rocked out" or "petered out." Is there any such phrase used in any Romance language, one wonders.