An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Rispe

by Friedrich Kluge

Rispe, feminine, ‘panicle,’ from Middle High German rispe, ‘f., ‘branches, bushes,’ akin to Old High German hrispahi, neuter, ‘bushes’; of obscure origin. The derivation from Old High German hrëspan, Middle High German rëspen, ‘to pluck, gather,’ is not quite satisfactory.