An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Binse

by Friedrich Kluge

Binse (Swiss Binz), f., ‘rush,’ from the plur. of the equiv. MidHG. binȥ, bineȥ, m., OHG. binuȥ, m.; comp. OSax. binut, AS. beonet, E. bent, bentgrass, as well names of places, Bentley, Bentheim, with a LG. vowel. The most probable derivation is that given in the OHG. period, by Notker, from bi- and naȥ (see naß); hence lit. ‘that which grows in wet places.’ LFranc. and LG. have a stem biusa corresponding to Du. bies, MidLG. bese, which are not cognate with Binse.