An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Mörser

by Friedrich Kluge

Mörser, masculine, ‘mortar (bowl),’ from the equivalent Middle High German morsœre, Old High German morsâri, masculine;. allied to Suabian, Alemannian, and Hessian Mörschel, ‘mortar,’ and morsch. The combination rs instead of rsch (see under herrschen, Hirsch, birschen, &c.) occurs also in Hirse, compared with the dialectic Hirsche. The High German form, Old High German mors-âri, is based on a verbal root murs; compare Middle High German zermürsen (Middle German zermorschen), ‘to crash to pieces,’ Swiss morsen, mürsen, ‘to grind, pound small,’ Dutch morzelen, ‘to pulverise, mangle.’ On the other hand, the equivalent Latin mortarium (French mortier) is indicated by Dutch mortier, Anglo-Saxon mortêre, Middle English mortêr, English mortar.