An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Scheffel

by Friedrich Kluge

Scheffel, m., ‘crown (of the head), vertex,’ from MidHG. scheitel, OHG. sceitila, f., ‘vertex, crown, parting of the hair from the crown to the forehead'; corresponding to Du. (haar) scheel, MidLG. schédel. Allied to scheiden; lit. ‘part of the head where the hairs separate, i.e., where they are parted to either side.’ Akin to AS. sčęâda, ‘crown,’ E. to shed.