An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Zwitter

by Friedrich Kluge

Zwitter (earlier ModHG. Zwiedorn), m., ‘mongrel, hermaphrodite, hybrid,’ from MidHG. zwitar, zwëtorn, zwidorn, m., ‘hermaphrodite, bastard, half-caste,’ OHG. zwitarn, zwitaran, m., ‘nothus, hybris.’ A derivative of zwi-, ‘duplex’ (see zwie-); comp. ModHG. dial. Zwister, ‘hermaphrodite.’ Different forms occur in OIc. (tvítóla) and Dan. (tvetulle, ‘hermaphrodite’).