An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Schmiele

by Friedrich Kluge

Schmiele, f., ‘hair-grass, bulrush,’ from the equiv. MidHG. smilehe, smëlehe, f.; OHG. *smëlaha, smilaha, or rather smëlawa, smilawa, and Goth. *smilhwi, f., are wanting; allied to MidHG. smëlhe, adj., ‘narrow.’