An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Gatter

by Friedrich Kluge

Gatter, n., ‘railing, lattice, rudder,’ from MidHG. gater, m., n., ‘railing, lattice’ (as a gate or fence), OHG. gataro, m., ‘railing.’ If the latter represents Teut. ga-doro, the word would be a compound of ga (see ge) and Thor (Goth. datir). On the other hand, it is possibly allied to AS. geat, E. gate.