An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Tappe

by Friedrich Kluge

Tappe, f. (in Swab. and Alem. Dopen, m.), ‘claw, paw,’ from the equiv. MidHG. *tā̆ppe (only tâpe is recorded), f.; origin and early history obscure. To this is allied ModHG. täppisch, adj., ‘awkward, clumsy,’ since MidHG. tappe (tâpe) occurs also as ‘uncouth, loutish person’; hence also ModHG. tappen, vb., ‘to flounder along, grope one's way,’ lit. ‘to behave awkwardly.