An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Gundelrebe

by Friedrich Kluge

Gundelrebe, f., ‘ground-ivy,’ from the equiv. MidHG. gunderëbe; the deviation in meaning in OHG. gundrëba, ‘maple,’ is remarkable. Allied to OHG. gund (gunt), ‘pus, poison,’ AS. gund, Goth. gunds, ‘pus’?. In that case the word would signify ‘poison-vine’ (see Rebe), Ground-ivy was used as a medicinal herb.