An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Hummel

by Friedrich Kluge

Hummel, f., ‘humble-bee, drone,’ from the equiv. MidHG. hummel, humbel, OHG. humbal, m.; comp. Du. hommel, ‘drone,’ MidE. humbel-bee, E. humble-bee (AS. *humbol-beó). The origin of the cognates is obscure; the derivation from MidHG. hummen, ‘to hum,’ is not satisfactory, since the soft labial in OHG. humbal must be archaic and original.