An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Riefe

by Friedrich Kluge

Riefe, feminine, ‘furrow in wood, stone, &c.,’ Modern High German only, from Low German; compare Anglo-Saxon geriflian, ‘to wrinkle,’ with which English rifle, literally ‘the fluted weapon,’ and rivel, ‘wrinkle, fold,’ are connected. Old Icelandic rifa, feminine, ‘slit, rift,’ allied to Old Icelandic rífa, ‘to tear to pieces, slit.’