An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Malter

by Friedrich Kluge

Malter, masculine and neuter, ‘measure’ (in Prussian formerly about 18 bush.), from Middle High German malter, malder, neuter, ‘corn measure’; compare Old High German maltar, Old Saxon maldar, neuter, ‘measure.’ Formed by means of the Teutonic suffix -þra-, -dra- (Greek τρο-, Latin tro-, compare Alter), from the root mal; see mahlen, Malter means literally ‘grinding,’ then ‘the quantity given to be ground at one time.’