An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Ätte

by Friedrich Kluge

Ätte, Ätti, masculine, ‘father,’ dialectic, from Middle High German atte, Old High German atto, ‘father.’ The mutation of the Modern High German is diminutive, as is shown by the final i of the Swiss ätti. Allied to Gothic atta, ‘father’ (whence Attila, Middle High German Etzel, literally ‘little, dear father’), perhaps also to Old Irish aite, ‘foster-father’ (from attios), Old Slovenian otĭcĭ, ‘father.’