An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Semmel

by Friedrich Kluge

Semmel, masculine, ‘roll,’ from Middle High German sëmel, sëmele (also simel), Old High German sëmala, simila, feminine, ‘fine wheat flour or bread, roll’; a word peculiar to High German, allied to Old High German sëmon, ‘to eat.’ Latin simila, ‘wheat flour,’ whence also Italian semola, French semoule, ‘bran from fine wheat flour,’ has been influenced by the High German word.