An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Pfeffer

by Friedrich Kluge

Pfeffer, m., from the equiv. MidHG. pfëffer, OHG. pfëffar, m., ‘pepper’; borrowed, as the unvarying permutation indicates, prior to the OHG. period from Lat. piper (whence Fr. poivre, Ital. pepe), which assumption is supported by Du. peper, AS. pipor, E. pepper, Ic. piparr (note in the non-Teut. languages OSlov. pĭprŭ). The early adoption of the Lat. word in Teut. is confirmed by history. In 410 A.D. Alaric, before Rome, granted a truce, for which the city was obliged to supply, among other things, 3000 lbs. of pepper. —