On my machine it means uneven load. Usually something like towels which would put it out of balance causing a load on the bearings.
I’m a quarter German and a quarter Austrian. One of my relatives was forced to be a nurse for the Nazis and another died because, apparently, at least one Nazi ship depth-charged a submerged mine. I also have a bizarre sense of humor and was likely feeling just a little bit off that day. I don’t usually go there in GQ, no, but sometimes these things just write themselves.
My first thought was of this. But it does the same thing when empty. It won’t spin more than one time before stopping and then the lights start flashing and the beeping starts.