An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Nessel

by Friedrich Kluge

Nessel, f., ‘nettle,’ from the equiv. MidHG. neȥȥel, OHG. nęȥȥila, f.; corresponding to MidLG. and Du. netel, AS. nętele, f., E. nettle; allied to earlier OHG. equiv. naȥȥa (the same as Ic. nǫtr?), ‘nettle.’ Goth. *natus, f., and *natilô, f., ‘nettle,’ are by chance not recorded. Since the HG. word can never lave had an initial h before the n., Gr. κνίδη, ‘stinging nettle,’ cannot be regarded as a cognate. The word has more correctly been connected with the common Teut. Netz (Goth. nati), on the assumption that nets in early times were made of nettle-threads. Further cognates are wanting. The term has also been compared with Pruss. noatis, Lith. noterė, and OIr. nenaid.