An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Ampfer

by Friedrich Kluge

Ampfer, m., ‘sorrel,’ from the equiv. MidHG. ampfer, OHG. ampfaro, m.; allied to the equiv. AS. ompre; an adj. used as a substantive. Comp. Du. amper, ‘sharp, bitter, unripe,’ OSw. amper, ‘sour, bitter,’ OIc. apr (for *ampr), ‘sharp' (chiefly of cold); also LG. ampern, ‘to prove bitter to the taste.’ Sauerampfer (also corrupted to Sauer-ramf) is a tautological compound like Windhund. In case Teut. ampra-, from *ambro-, represents the prop. Aryan *amró-, Sans. amlá, ‘sour' (also ‘wood-sorrel'), and Lat. amârus, ‘bitter,’ are primit. cognate with this word.