An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Kebse
Kebse, f., ‘concubine,’ from the equiv. MidHG. kębse, kębese, OHG. chębisa, chębis; in Goth. perhaps *kabisi. Comp. AS. čęfes, čyfes. Unfortunately the word is etymologically quite obscure. The meaning is an important one in the history of manners and customs; the AS. word signifies ‘concubine’ and ‘servant,’ and the corresponding masc. kefser in OIc. slave; it is evident that female captives were made slaves and concubines (comp. AS. wealh, ‘Kelt. slave,’ wylen, ‘female slave, servant,’ under Welsch). The idea of ‘concubine,’ in spite of Tacitus’ highly-coloured picture of the OTeut. family life, is not foreign to OTeut. antiquity; but the important fact is, and this is confirmed by his general statements, that concubines were chosen from the prisoners, or rather the slaves; in antiquity the slaves were regarded as chattels; comp. Lat. mancipium, Gr. ἀνδράποδον; OIc. man, ‘slave,’ is neu., and sometimes signifies ‘female slave, concubine.’