An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Lippe
Lippe, f., ‘lip,’ unknown to MidHG. and OHG.; it has appeared in the written language since Luther. It is the LG. and MidG. word for UpG. Lefze; Comp. OSax. *lippa, Du. lip, AS. lippa, E. lip; in Goth. we have perhaps to assume *lipiô, f. According to OSax. lëpur the Teut. root is lep, and this, following the permutation of consonants, is based on leb. The correspondence with Lat. labium is generally accepted; but when this is connected with lambere, ‘to lick,’ difficulties are presented, especially by the meaning. To represent the lip as ‘that which licks’ is not satisfactory. In Teut. a vb. (OHG. laffan, pret. luof) corresponding to Lat. lambere has been retained, and the rules of gradation show that HG. Lippe cannot be allied to this; Lippe is connected rather with a Goth. vb. *lipan, not *lapan (OHG. laffan). Lat. labium was derived perhaps from *lebium (Goth. *lipjô) and connected with lambere; to this ModPers. lab, ‘lip,’ is allied. The LG. word passed through Du. into Fr. lippe, f., ‘blobber lip.’