An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Seidelbast

by Friedrich Kluge

Seidelbast, masculine, ‘spurge-laurel, mezereon,’ derived under the influence of Seide (on account of the fine bast?) from the equivalent Middle High German zîdelbast (also zîtzelbast), masculine, called also zîlant; origin obscure. Perhaps zîdel-weide, ‘rearing of bees,’ is allied.