An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Matratze

by Friedrich Kluge

Matratze, f., ‘mattress,’ from MidHG. matraȥ, materaz, m. and n., ‘couch stuffed with wool, divan’; comp. Du. matras, E. mattress. The HG. form with tz is formed from MidLat. matratium, which, with its corresponding Rom. cognate, Fr. matelas, is usually derived from an Arab source; Arab. matrah, ‘pillow,’ lit. ‘place where something is thrown.’