An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Abgott

by Friedrich Kluge

Abgott, m., ‘idol,’ from MidHG. and OHG. abgot, n., ‘idol, idolatrous image’; note the retention of the older gender of Gott as late as MidHG.; comp. Goth. afguþs, ‘godless’ (antithesis to gaguþs, ‘pious’); hence Abgott is properly ‘false god’; see Aberwitz.