An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Geschirr

by Friedrich Kluge

Geschirr, neuter, ‘gear, trappings, implements, ware,’ from Middle High German geschirre, Old High German giscirri, neuter, ‘dishes, vessel, instrument, utensils.’ The more general meaning, ‘instrument of every kind,’ is also seen, especially in anschirren (Modern High German simply), ‘to harness a horse.’ The origin of the stem, which does not appear elsewhere in Teutonic, is obscure.