An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Mispel
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Mispel, f., from the equiv. MidHG. mispel, with the variants mespel, nespel, f. OHG. mespila, f., ‘medlar,’ with the variant nespila. From MidLat. mespila, whence also, with the change of the initial m into n., the corresponding Rom. cognates (Ital. nespola, Fr. nèfle). The ultimate source is Gr. μέσπιλον, ‘medlar.’