An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Schimmel

by Friedrich Kluge

Schimmel, m., ‘mould,’ from the equiv. MidHG. schimel, m., for an older *schimbel, OHG. *scimbal, which may be inferred from the OHG. derivatives *scimbalên, ‘to get mouldy,’ scimbalag, ‘mouldy.’ The MidHG. form is due to a confusion with schîme, m., ‘glimmer’; comp. Du. schimmelen. OHG. *scimbal has no corresponding form in the other Teut. dials. —

Schimmel, m., ‘white horse,’ late MidHG., identical with Schimmel, ‘mucus.’