An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/treideln

by Friedrich Kluge

treideln, verb, ‘to tow a boat,’ Modern High German only; a Low German loan-word; compare the equivalent Dutch treilen (Anglo-Saxon trœglian, English to trail). On account of French trailler, ‘to pull,’ which is probably a corresponding term, treideln has been supposed to be connected with Latin trahere. There is no need, however, to ascribe the cognates to a non-Teutonic origin.