An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Schmiele

by Friedrich Kluge

Schmiele, feminine, ‘hair-grass, bulrush,’ from the equivalent Middle High German smilehe, smëlehe, feminine; Old High German *smëlaha, smilaha, or rather smëlawa, smilawa, and Gothic *smilhwi, feminine, are wanting; allied to Middle High German smëlhe, adjective, ‘narrow.’