An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Mispel

by Friedrich Kluge

Mispel, f., from the equiv. MidHG. mispel, with the variants mespel, nespel, f. OHG. mespila, f., ‘medlar,’ with the variant nespila. From MidLat. mespila, whence also, with the change of the initial m into n., the corresponding Rom. cognates (Ital. nespola, Fr. nèfle). The ultimate source is Gr. μέσπιλον, ‘medlar.’