An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Kloß

by Friedrich Kluge

Kloß, m., ‘clod, dumpling,’ from MidHG. klôȥ, m. and n., ‘lump, bulb, clew, bullet, pommel of a sword, wedge,’ OHG. chlôȥ, m., ‘ball, round mass, bowl (at play)’; corresponding to MidLG. klûte, Du. kloot, m., ‘bullet, ball.’ AS. *cleát, E. cleat, ‘wedge’ (Ic. klót, ‘pommel of a sword,’ has an abnormal ô for au, which indicates that the word has been borrowed, unless it is cognate with Lat. glâdius). Goth. *klauta- is wanting; the Teut. root klut appears also in the following word.