An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Flederwisch

by Friedrich Kluge

Flederwisch, m., first occurs in early ModHG. with a reference to flëdern, ‘to flutter.’ In MidHG. once vëderwisch, Du. vederwisch; prop. ‘a goosewing for dusting,’ or rather Flederwisch, ‘whisk for fanning away.’