An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Riefe

by Friedrich Kluge

Riefe, f., ‘furrow in wood, stone, &c.,’ ModHG. only, from LG.; comp. AS. geriflian, ‘to wrinkle,’ with which E. rifle, lit. ‘the fluted weapon,’ and rivel, ‘wrinkle, fold,’ are connected. OIc. rifa, f., ‘slit, rift,’ allied to OIc. rífa, ‘to tear to pieces, slit.’