An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Rudel

by Friedrich Kluge

Rudel, neuter, ‘flock, herd, troop,’ Modern High German only, of uncertain etymology, perhaps a diminutive of Rotte, ‘host’ (compare Middle High German rode with rotte). Old Icelandic riðull, ‘small detachment of soldiers,’ can scarcely prove the genuine German origin of Rudel, since it probably belongs to riða, ‘to ride.’ The Kinship of Rudel with Gothic wriþus, ‘herd,’ is also uncertain.