An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Herberge

by Friedrich Kluge

Herberge, f. (with ĕ as in Herzog, allied to Heer), ‘shelter, quarters, inn,’ from MidHG. hęrbërge, f.; lit. ‘a sheltering place for the army’ (rare in MidHG.), most frequently ‘lodging-house for strangers,’ also ‘dwelling’ generally. OHG. hęri-bërga, ‘camp, castra,’ then also ‘hospitium, tabernaculum.’ MidE. hereberge, ‘hospitium,’ E. harbour; Scand. herberge, n., ‘inn, lodging, room, chamber.’ The compound, in its later form, seems to have been adopted from G. by the other Teut. languages, and also by Rom.; Fr. auberge, Ital. albergo; OFr. preserves the older meaning ‘camp.’ Comp. Herr, bergen.