An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Holfter

by Friedrich Kluge

Holfter, Hulfter (rarely Halfter), f., ‘holster,’ in which sense it is ModHG. only; MidHG. hulfter, ‘quiver,’ a derivative of hulft, ‘sheath, covering, case’ (OHG. huluft). These cognates are often wrongly connected with Goth. hulistr, n., ‘sheath, covering,’ which is said to be supported by the MidHG. variant huls, ‘sheath, covering,’ Du. holster and its equiv. E. holster. By such an assumption the f of the OHG., MidHG., and ModHG. form still remains obscure. It is more probably allied to forms with f, such as Goth. hwilftrjôs, ‘coffin.’ It is possible, of course, that there has been a confusion with the words from the stem hul (Goth. hulistr, ‘sheath, covering’).