An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Moder

by Friedrich Kluge

Moder, m., ‘mud, mould, decay,’ from late MidHG. (MidG.) moder, m., ‘body that has been decomposed, decay, bog, moor’; comp. Du. modder, ‘slime,’ E. mother, ‘slimy substance’ (espec. in vinegar), Du. moer, ‘yeast, lees.’ The entire class has become current only in the modern languages; comp. the corresponding MidG. mot, ‘moor, morass, marsh,’ MidE. mudde, E. mud. The early history of the cognates is obscure; Gr. μυδών, ‘fungous flesh,’ on account of its permutation does not belong to the cognates.