An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Säbel

by Friedrich Kluge

Säbel, masculine, ‘sabre,’ from the equivalent late Middle High German and early Modern High German Sabel and Sebel, masculine, which, like the equivalent French and English sabre and Italian sciabla, seems to be derived from the East; the ultimate source is still uncertain. The Slavonic words, such as Russian sablja, Polish szabla, Servian sablja, us well as Hun. száblya, appear to have been borrowed.