An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Turteltaube

by Friedrich Kluge

Turteltaube, feminine, ‘turtle-dove,’ from the equivalent Middle High German turteltûbe (türteltube), Old High German turtul-, turtil-tûba, feminine; borrowed and corrupted in the Old High German period (in connection with the Biblical texts) from Latin turtur, whence also Dutch tortelduif, Anglo-Saxon and English turtle. Compare also Italian tortora, French tourtre, tourtereau.