An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Epheu

by Friedrich Kluge

Epheu, m., ‘ivy,’ from the equiv. MidHG. ëphöu, ëbehöu, OHG. ëbahęwi, n.; even at the present day the word is pronounced Ep-heu in UpGer. dialects (Franc., Suab., and Alem.), partly corrupted to Räb-heu, while the ModHG. pronunciation has been influenced by the written language. Of course it is impossible to say positively whether Heu is to be regarded as the second component, especially as the other forms are difficult to explain. OHG. has also ëbawi, ëbah, AS. îfig, E. ivy, MidLG. îflôf, îwlôf, Du. eiloof, ‘ivy.’ The base of the cognates seems to be a common Teut. ī̆ba-; yet no definitive clue can be found.