An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Strafe

by Friedrich Kluge

Strafe, feminine, ‘punishment, penalty, fine,’ from the equivalent Middle High German (rare), strâfe, feminine; Old High German *strâfa, feminine, is, like the verb corresponding to Modern High German and Middle High German strâfen, ‘to punish,’ not recorded. The cognates are specifically High German (whence Dutch straf), and are wanting in the other Teutonic dialects. The late appearance of the word does not prove that it was borrowed. The history of the cognates is obscure.