An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Dolde

by Friedrich Kluge

Dolde, f., ‘umbel,’ from MidHG. tolde, f., ‘top or crown of a plant or tree,’ OHG. toldo, m.; the ModHG. word has apparently a LG. initial sound. The root is dul (pre-Teut. dhel), as is indicated by OHG. tola, ‘grape-stalk.’ From Aryan dhel, Gr. θόλος, ‘dome’ (allied in meaning to ModHG. Dolde, ‘umbel’), is formed by gradation. Yet θάλλω, ‘to sprout, bloom,’ θάλος, n., ‘young shoot, twig, may also be cognates.