An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Pfote
Pfote, feminine, ‘paw, claw’; Middle High German *pfôte is wanting, though Lower Rhenish pôte, feminine, ‘paw,’ is recorded in the 14th century; corresponding to Dutch poot, ‘paw, foot, leg.’ The primary form pauta is also indicated by Old French poe and Provençal paute, ‘paw’ (compare also French patte, ‘paw, claw’?). Whether the Romance word is the source of the German is uncertain; allied also to English paw?. It has not yet been ascertained how the prevalent Upper German terms dåp, dôpe, ‘paw’ (Middle High German tâpe), are related to these cognates.