An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Gelage

by Friedrich Kluge

Gelage, n., ‘feast, banquet, drinking bout,’ first occurs in early ModHG., allied to legen. Scarcely derived from the ancient Gelage (banquets); but just as Goth. gabaur is lit. ‘that which is laid together,’ and then ‘picnic, feasting’ (from baíran, ‘to carry,’ see Bahre), so Gelage is lit. ‘that which is laid together,’ and then ‘feasting’; comp. zechen.