An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Pappel

by Friedrich Kluge

Pappel (1.), f., from the equiv. MidHG. papel, papele, f., OHG. (MidLat.) papula, 1, ‘mallow.’ Of obscure origin; probably cognate orig. with Pappel (2).

Pappel (2.), f., from the equiv. MidHG. papel, popel, f., ‘poplar,’ Lat. pôpulus (Fr. peuplier), with the MidLat. variant papulus; from the Fr. form (OFr. poplier) are derived the equiv. Du. populier and E. poplar (MidE. popler). In the Rom. class. Lat. populus was changed in many curious ways in most of the dials.; comp. Ital. pioppo (from *ploppus for populus). Since the HG. form is closely connected with the Lat., it must have been introduced by scholars, probably in the MidHG. period.