An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Iltis

by Friedrich Kluge

Iltis, m., ‘polecat,’ from the equiv. MidHG. iltī̆s, ëltes, OHG. illitī̆so, m. (the long î is assumed by the ModHG. and Bav. form Elledeis); a specifically G. term based upon an old compound which has not as yet been explained.