An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Mergel

by Friedrich Kluge

Mergel, masculine, ‘marl,’ from the equivalent Middle High German męrgel, Old High German męrgil, masculine; from Middle Latin margila, with the primary form marga, which is recorded by Pliny as a Keltic word; compare Breton marg, Welsh marl. From the same source the equivalent Romance words are derived — French marne (from Old French marle), Italian and Spanish marga.