An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Geselle

by Friedrich Kluge

Geselle, m., ‘comrade, apprentice, journeyman,’ from MidHG. gesęlle, OHG. gisęllo, lit. ‘fellow-occupant or lodger,’ then generally ‘companion, friend’ (in late MidHG. ‘journeyman’ also); akin to Saal. Hence the derivatives, MidHG. gesęllec, ‘associate, combined,’ ModHG. gesellig; MidHG. gesęllecheit, ‘relation as a comrade’; MidHG. gesęllen, ‘to unite, combine,’ ModHG. Gesellen, ‘to associate.’ For the meaning of ge- in Geselle, comp. Gesinde.