An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Bachstelze

by Friedrich Kluge

Bachstelze f., ‘water-wagtail,’ formed from the equiv. MidHG. waȥȥerstelze, OHG. waȥȥerstelza; the second part of the compound is connected with Stelze. This term is only HG.; comp. with it Du. kwikstaart, Norw. quickstiert, E. wagtail, LG. wippstert, Dan. vipstiert; also Gr. σεισοπυγίς ltal. squassacoda, codatremola, cutretta, Fr. hoche-queue; but Span. andario, which meant lit ‘brook-trotter.’