An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Schmutz

by Friedrich Kluge

Schmutz, m., ‘dirt, filth,’ from the equiv. MidHG. smuz (-tzes), m., allied to MidHG. smotzen, ‘to be dirty’; also to Du. smet, ‘spot, dirt,’ smetten, ‘to get stained,’ smodderen, ‘to soil,’ E. smut, vb. and subst., MidE. bismitten, bismoteren, bismudden, ‘to stain, soil.’ It is uncertain whether these words are late graded forms of MidHG. smitzen, ‘to rub over.’