An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Hamster

by Friedrich Kluge

Hamster, m., from the equiv. MidHG. hamster, m., ‘German marmot’; OHG. hamastro, m., signifies only ‘curculio, weevil,’ so too OSax. hamstra, f., for *hamastra. The existing meaning is probably the earlier. In form the word stands quite alone; its occurrence in G. only, perhaps supports the view that it was borrowed. A corresponding word has not yet been found in a neighbouring language.