An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Naber

by Friedrich Kluge

Naber, Näber, m., ‘auger, gimlet,’ from MidHG. nęgber, nagcber, m., a strange corruption (probably by connection with Nagel) of nębe-gêr, nabe-gêr, m., ‘auger’ (comp. Essig). Corresponding to OHG. naba-gêr, m., ‘auger,’ lit. ‘spear, pointed iron tool to bore naves,’ also AS. nafogâr, ‘auger,’ MidE. nevagǫ̂r, nauger, E. auger (with regard to the apparent loss of an initial n comp. E. adder, equiv. to ModHG. Otter; similarly Du. avegaar, ‘auger,’ as well as aaf, are, ‘nave’), equiv. to OLG. nabugêr, Scand. nafarr, ‘auger.’ An OTeut. compound, whence Finn. napakaira, ‘auger.’