An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Stelze

by Friedrich Kluge

Stelze, f., ‘stilt, wooden leg,’ from the equiv. MidHG. stęlze, OHG. stęlza, f.; corresponding to Du. stelt, Dan. stylte, Swed. stylta, and the equiv. E. stilt. Probably a genuine Teut. word, the early history of which is, however, obscure.