An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Schar

by Friedrich Kluge

Schar (1.), see Pflugschar. Schar (2.), feminine, ‘host, troop, crowd,’ from Middle High German schar, feminine, ‘division of an army, drawn up detachment of soldiers, knot of four or more men, crowd, heap,’ Old High German skara, feminine, ‘host.’ The meaning is not connected with scheren. Anglo-Saxon sčęalu, sčęolu (English shoal), ‘host,’ is abnormal. From Teutonic is derived the Romance word schiera, ‘host, troop, swarm.’ See Scherge.