An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Matrose

by Friedrich Kluge

Matrose, masculine, ‘sailor,’ Modern High German only, from the equivalent Dutch matroos; Danish and Swedish matros. They are based on French matelot (Old French matenot), ‘sailor,’ which again is derived through a Norman medium from Scandinavian mötunautr, ‘messmate’ (the crew was divided into companies, who took their meals together).