An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Knorpel

by Friedrich Kluge

Knorpel, m., ‘gristle,’ from MidHG. knorpel-, knorbel-, bein knospel, ‘cartilage.’ It cannot be certainly decided whether the word is based on a Goth. knuzba- or *knaúrba-; the former is the more probable for grammatical reasons; ModDu. knobbel, ModLG. knusperknaken, ‘cartilaginous bone.’