An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Rute

by Friedrich Kluge

Rute, feminine, ‘rod, switch, wand, rod (about 15 feet),’ from Middle High German ruote, Old High German ruota, feminine, ‘switch, rod, pole, rod (a measure)’; corresponding to Old Saxon rôda, t., ‘cross,’ Dutch roede, ‘rod (also a measure),’ Anglo-Saxon rôd, feminine ‘cross,’ English rod, rood. Gothic *rôda, feminine, ‘pole, stake,’ is wanting. A pre-Teutonic râdhá- is not found elsewhere; but is Latin rădius, ‘staff,’ primitively allied?