An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Lappen

by Friedrich Kluge

Lappen, Lappe, m., ‘rag, patch,’ from MidHG. lappe, f. and m.; OHG. lappa, f., ‘piece of stuff hanging loose, rag’; comp. AS. lœppa, ‘hem, lappet,’ E. lap, and Du. lap. The irregular correspondence of AS. pp to HG. pp is obscure (AS. pp ought to be pf in HG.). We may compare Gr. λοβός, ‘lobe,’ or preferably Lith. lópas, ‘patch, rag,’ lópyti, ‘to patch.’