An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Bote

by Friedrich Kluge

Bote, m., ‘messenger,’ from the equiv. MidHG. bote, OHG. boto; comp. OLG. and ODu. bodo, AS. boda, ‘messenger.’ To this Botschaft, from MidHG. boteschaft, botschaft, OHG. botoscaft, botascaf (OSax. bodscepi, AS. bodscipe), is related. See Schaft. Bote (Goth. *buda) is the name of the agent, from the root bud, Aryan bhudh, appearing in bieten.