An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Rohrdommel

by Friedrich Kluge

Rohrdommel, f., ‘bittern,’ from the equiv. MidHG. rôrtumel, m.; the word has been variously corrupted in OHG. and MidHG., finally resulting in the ModHG. form. In OHG. occur horo-tukel, horotumil, lit. ‘mud, slime tumbler’ (*rôrtumil is not found in OHG.). MidDu. roesdomel; AS. has a remarkable form, râradumbla, with the same meaning. The wide diffusion of these cognates, transformed in various ways by popular etymology, but closely resembling one another in sound, leaves to doubt as to their genuine Teut. origin. The usual assumption that they are all corruptions of Lat. crecopulus, cretobolus, onocrotalus won't bear investigation.