An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Kelter

by Friedrich Kluge

Kelter, feminine and masculine, ‘wine or oil press,’ from the equivalent Middle High German kęlter, kalter, masculine and feminine Old High German calcatûra, calctûra (also calctûrhûs, Middle High German kalterhûs); borrowed, on the introduction of the southern culture of the vine (see Wein, Becher, Kelch, and Keller), from Latin calcatura, ‘wine-press’ (calcatorium), derived from calcare, ‘to tread.’ Hence Kelter originally means ‘treading press.’ For the genuine Upper German for Kelter see under Trotte and Torkel (in Dutch pers, Anglo-Saxon presse, from Latin pressa). Kelter is Middle German, and is found from the Moselle to the Saale. Corresponding to OLorraine chaucheur, from Latin calcatorium.