An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Hobel

by Friedrich Kluge

Hobel (dial. Hofel), m., ‘plane,’ rom the equiv. MidHG. (rare) hobel, hovel, m.; comp. MidLG. hövel, Swed. hyfvel. ModIc. hefill, m., ‘plane,’ proves nothing for the wrongly assumed connection with heben. Its relation to OHG. hovar, AS. hofer, ‘hump, boss,’ is also dubious.