An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Wandel

by Friedrich Kluge

Wandel, masculine, ‘walking, change, behaviour,’ from Middle High German wandel, Old High German wantal, masculine, ‘retrogression, vicissitude, stain, fault; trade and commerce, communication, intercourse.’ Allied to Old High German wantalôn, Middle High German wandelen, ‘to change, transform, associate’ (wandeln, ‘to walk,’ so too Middle High German wandeln; see the next word). The cognates are based on the root of winden.