An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Orgel

by Friedrich Kluge

Orgel, feminine, ‘organ’ (musical instrument), from Middle High German organâ, orgene, Old High German organâ, feminine, of which a rare variant in l occurs, Old High German orgela, Middle High German orgel, feminine, ‘organ.’ Old High German organa is derived from Middle Latin organum (Italian organo, French orgue, English organ), or rather its plural organa, ‘organ.’ Properly, however, “organa dicuntur omnia instrumenta musicorum; non solum illud organum dicitur quod grande est et inflatur follibus, &c.” (Augustine). Organs were known to the Middle European Teutons as early as the latter half of the 8th century, especially in the reign of Charlemagne, for Charlemagne himself received a magnificent organ, which was described by a monk of St. Gall, as a present from the Byzantine emperor Michael.