An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Börse

by Friedrich Kluge

Börse, f., from MidHG. burse, ‘purse, small bag,’ also ‘a number of persons living together,’ OHG. burissa, ‘pocket.’ Comp. Du. beurs; of Rom. origin (Fr. bourse, Ital. borsa); the Rom. class is derived finally from Gr. βύρσα, ‘hide.’ This word supplanted an OTeut. term which shows a similar development of meaning — OIc. pungr, ‘leather bottle, scrotum, purse,’ Goth. puggs, OHG. scazpfung, ‘purse.’