An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Spilling

by Friedrich Kluge

Spilling, m., ‘large yellow plum,’ from the equiv. MidHG. spillinc, spinlinc (g), m. Probably connected, like OHG. spënala, MidHG. spënel, ‘pin,’ with a primit. Teut. spī̆na-, ‘thorn,’ which is cognate with Lat. spîna, ‘thorn’ (comp. Ital. spillo, ‘pin’).