An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Wandel

by Friedrich Kluge

Wandel, m., ‘walking, change, behaviour,’ from MidHG. wandel, OHG. wantal, m., ‘retrogression, vicissitude, stain, fault; trade and commerce, communication, intercourse.’ Allied to OHG. wantalôn, MidHG. wandelen, ‘to change, transform, associate’ (wandeln, ‘to walk,’ so too MidHG. wandeln; see the next word). The cognates are based on the root of winden.