An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Wedel

by Friedrich Kluge

Wedel, m., ‘fan, sprinkling brush, tail, tuft, brush (of foxes),’ from the equiv. MidHG. wędel (wadel), OHG. wędil (wadal), m. and n.; also dial. Wadel. The specifically HG. word is a derivative of the root wê (see wehen), with the suffix -þlo; Wedel, lit. ‘implement for blowing.’