An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Post

by Friedrich Kluge

Post, feminine, ‘post, post-office,’ first occurs in early Modern High German, formed from Italian posta (French poste), which is based on Middle Latin posita, ‘standing-place’ (for horses?). Similarly Modern High German Posten, ‘post, station, item, entry,’ is derived from Italian posto, ‘place, post,’ which again comes from Middle Latin positus, ‘standing-place.’