An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Rahe

by Friedrich Kluge

Rahe, feminine, also Raa (under Low German and Dutch influence), ‘yard’ (of a ship), from Middle High German rahe, feminine, ‘pole’; corresponding to Dutch ra, ‘sail-yard,’ Old Icelandic rá, feminine, ‘sail-yard’ (Gothic *răha, feminine, ‘pole’). Rahe is native, both to Upper German and Low German; compare Bavarian raχe, ‘pole.’