An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Turteltaube

by Friedrich Kluge

Turteltaube, f., ‘turtle-dove,’ from the equiv. MidHG. turteltûbe (türteltube), OHG. turtul-, turtil-tûba, f.; borrowed and corrupted in the OHG. period (in connection with the Biblical texts) from Lat. turtur, whence also Du. tortelduif, AS. and E. turtle. Comp. also Ital. tortora, Fr. tourtre, tourtereau.