An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Perle

by Friedrich Kluge

Perle, f., ‘pearl,’ from the equiv. MidHG. përle, bërle, OHG. bërla, përala, f.; a foreign word, as the fluctuating initial sound indicates. It corresponds to the Rom. cognates, Ital. perla, Fr. perle, whence also E. pearl; derived probably from Lat. *pirula, ‘little pear.’ In Goth., marikreitus, a corrupt form of Lat. margarita, was used, corresponding to AS. mere-greót, OHG. męri-grioȥ, MidHG. męregrieȥ. —