An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Lotse

by Friedrich Kluge

Lotse, m., ‘pilot,’ like löschen (2) ModHG. only; borrowed from LG. and Du. loots, loods, ‘pilot.’ Perhaps the word originated in E. in which loadsman, ‘steersman,’ occurs as an old compound of load, AS. lâd, ‘street, way’ (see leiten). With regard to the o in Lotse, see Boot.