An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Geselle

by Friedrich Kluge

Geselle, masculine, ‘comrade, apprentice, journeyman,’ from Middle High German gesęlle, Old High German gisęllo, literally ‘fellow-occupant or lodger,’ then generally ‘companion, friend’ (in late Middle High German ‘journeyman’ also); akin to Saal. Hence the derivatives, Middle High German gesęllec, ‘associate, combined,’ Modern High German gesellig; Middle High German gesęllecheit, ‘relation as a comrade’; Middle High German gesęllen, ‘to unite, combine,’ Modern High German Gesellen, ‘to associate.’ For the meaning of ge- in Geselle, compare Gesinde.