An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Drillich

by Friedrich Kluge

Drillich, m., ‘ticking,’ from MidHG. drilich, drilch, m., ‘a stuff woven with three threads’; an adj. signifying ‘threefold’ formed into a subst.; see Zwillich. Dri- is the older form for drei in compounds (see dritte, Zwil-, and Drilling); OHG. drĭfalt, ‘threefold.’ OHG. drilîch, ‘threefold, consisting of three threads,’ is the convenient Ger. rendering of the Lat. trĭlîx (trîlîcem), ‘triple-twilled, from lîcium, ‘thread.’ Similar formations may be seen in Zwillich and Sammet.