An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Strafe

by Friedrich Kluge

Strafe, f., ‘punishment, penalty, fine,’ from the equiv. MidHG. (rare), strâfe, f.; OHG. *strâfa, f., is, like the verb corresponding to ModHG. and MidHG. strâfen, ‘to punish,’ not recorded. The cognates are specifically HG. (whence Du. straf), and are wanting in the other Teut. dialects. The late appearance of the word does not prove that it was borrowed. The history of the cognates is obscure.