An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Baas

by Friedrich Kluge

Baas, masculine, ‘master,’ a Low German word; compare Dutch baas; originally perhaps it was a term of endearment used in addressing superiors (compare Amme, Muhme, Bube, Buhle). It is undoubtedly connected with Base, ‘aunt on the father's side,’ because Base, Baas — Bäsel, are also titles given by domestics to their mistress. Yet it is astonishing that the area of diffusion of Baas, masculine (Low German), and Base, feminine (Middle German and Upper German), is different. Perhaps ‘paternal’ was the root idea of both words.