An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Zelter

by Friedrich Kluge

Zelter, masculine, ‘palfrey, ambling pace,’ from the equivalent Middle High German zëlter, Old High German zëltâri, masculine. Literally ‘a horse that goes at a gentle pace’; allied to Bavarian and Middle High German zëlt, masculine, ‘amble, gentle pace,’ Dutch telganger, ‘ambler.’ To this Anglo-Saxon tealtrian, ‘to totter,’ is probably allied.