An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Hirse

by Friedrich Kluge

Hirse, f. (older ModHG. and even yet MidG., Suab. Hirsche), ‘millet,’ from the equiv. MidHG. hirse, hirs, OHG. hirsi, hirso, m.; orig. a HG. word merely, which, however, in modern times has spread to the north (E. and Dan. hirse, Swed. hirs). Allied to Lat. cirrus, ‘a tuft (of hair, &c.)’?.