An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Klamm

by Friedrich Kluge

Klamm, masculine, ‘spasm in the throat,’ from Middle High German klam (genitive klammes), masculine, ‘cramp, oppression, fetter’; corresponding to Anglo-Saxon clom (o before m, or rather mm, for a), masculine, feminine, and neuter, ‘firm grip, talon, claw, fetter’;. also Old High German chlamma, Middle High German klamme, feminine Modern High German klemmen, ‘to squeeze,’ from Middle High German klęmmen (Old High German bichlęmmen), ‘to seize with the claws, squeeze in, press together’; compare Anglo-Saxon beclęmman, Old Icelandic klemma. — Modern High German Klemme, feminine, ‘defile,’ from Middle High German klemme, klemde, feminine, ‘narrowness, cramping,’ Old High German not yet found.