An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Werder

by Friedrich Kluge

Werder, m., ‘small island in a river,’ from MidHG. węrt (d), m., ‘island, peninsula,’ OHG. węrid, warid, f., ‘island.’ Corresponding to AS. waroð, ‘bank, shore,’ with AS. wœr, OIc. ver, n., ‘sea’ (for the meaning comp. Au). Its primit. kinship with Sans. vâr, ‘water,’ is not certain.