An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Gatter

by Friedrich Kluge

Gatter, neuter, ‘railing, lattice, rudder,’ from Middle High German gater, masculine, neuter, ‘railing, lattice’ (as a gate or fence), Old High German gataro, masculine, ‘railing.’ If the latter represents Teutonic ga-doro, the word would be a compound of ga (see ge) and Thor (Gothic datir). On the other hand, it is possibly allied to Anglo-Saxon geat, English gate.