An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Meerrettig

by Friedrich Kluge

Meerrettig, m., ‘horse-radish,’ allied to Meer, like Herzog to Heer, vierte (ĭ) to vier (ī), &c.; corresponding to MidHG. męrręttich, OHG. męri-ratich, m., ‘radish that has come from over the sea, transpontine radish.’ The E. term horse-radish, Meerrettig, is curious, and suggests the idea that Meer- in this case is equiv. to Mähre. Du. mierikwortel, Westph. mirrek, Hess. Merchhorn, seem to be of the same origin.