An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Dorsche

by Friedrich Kluge

Dorsche, f., ‘cabbage-stump, cole-rape,’ with LG. initial d, from MidHG. torse, ‘cabbage-stump,’ OHG. tursö, torso, ‘stalk’; for the change of s to sch comp. birschen. There is a parallel Rom. class (Ital. torso, OFr. tros, ‘stump, morsel’) which is undoubtedly of Teut. origin. The HG. word is probably primit. allied to the Gr. θύρσος, ‘wand.’