An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Schweif

by Friedrich Kluge

Schweif, m., ‘tail, train, suite,’ from MidHG. sweif, m., ‘rotation, encircling band, trimming of a garment, tail,’ OHG. sweif, OIc. sveipr, ‘encircling band’; allied to OHG. sweifan, ‘to cause to rotate, turn.’ With the Teut. root swaip, Gr. σόβη, ‘horsetail,’ cannot be connected. See the following word.