An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Klafter
Klafter, n., m., and f., ‘fathom,’ from MidHG. klâfter, f., m., and n., OHG. chlâftra, f., ‘length of the outstretched arms, fathom’; for a similar development of meaning comp. Elle, Faden, also Spanne and Fuß. Goth. *klêftra or *klêftri, f., is wanting, so too the corresponding forms in the cognate languages. Its connection with AS. clyppan, E. to clip, ‘to embrace,’ Swiss χlupfel, ‘armful of hay’ (Teut. root klē̆p), makes it probable that the word is related to Lith. glěbti, ‘to encircle with the arms,’ glėbýs, ‘armful,’ glóbti, ‘to embrace’ (root glêb). The MidHG. variant lâfter (lâhter), f. and n., ‘fathom,’ is obscure.