An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Laie

by Friedrich Kluge

Laie, m., ‘layman, novice,’ from the equiv. MidHG. leie, leige, OHG. leigo, leijo, m., ‘laïcus,’ (It is based on a Romanised Lat. laïcus, whence also AS. lœwed, ‘layman,’ E. lewd). The word was probably borrowed at a later period than the other ecclesiastical terms Priester and Probst.