An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Trommel

by Friedrich Kluge

Trommel, feminine, ‘drum, cylinder, sieve,’ from the equivalent late Middle High German trumel, trumbel, feminine, of which the classical Middle High German form is trumbe (trumme, trume), ‘drum, trumpet’; compare Old High German trumpa, trumba, ‘trumpet.’ The Romance languages have a corresponding word, Italian tromba, French trompe. Since these have no Latin form, Old High German trumba may be regarded as their source. Old High German trumba seems to be identical with Old Icelandic trumba, ‘pipe, stalk, trumpet,’ in which case the latter is probably nearer the primary meaning.— Modern High German Trompete, ‘trumpet’ (even in Middle High German trúmet, trúmbet), is based on Romance; compare French trompette, Italian trombetta.