An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Pfote

by Friedrich Kluge

Pfote, f., ‘paw, claw’; MidHG. *pfôte is wanting, though Lower Rhen. pôte, f., ‘paw,’ is recorded in the 14th cent.; corresponding to Du. poot, ‘paw, foot, leg.’ The prim. form pauta is also indicated by OFr. poe and Prov. paute, ‘paw’ (comp. also Fr. patte, ‘paw, claw’?). Whether the Rom. word is the source of the G. is uncertain; allied also to E. paw?. It has not yet been ascertained how the prevalent UpG. terms dåp, dôpe, ‘paw’ (MidHG. tâpe), are related to these cognates.