An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Stelze

by Friedrich Kluge

Stelze, feminine, ‘stilt, wooden leg,’ from the equivalent Middle High German stęlze, Old High German stęlza, feminine; corresponding to Dutch stelt, Danish stylte, Swedish stylta, and the equivalent English stilt. Probably a genuine Teutonic word, the early history of which is, however, obscure.