An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Pfeil

by Friedrich Kluge

Pfeil, m., from the equiv. MidHG. and OHG. pfîl, m., ‘arrow, dart’; corresponding to MidLG. pîl, Du. pijl, AS. pîl, E. pile, Scand. píla, ‘arrow.’ Borrowed at an early period from Lat. pîlum, n., ‘heavy javelin,’ with a change of gender and meaning. The OTeut. word for arrow, Goth. arhwazna, OIc. ǫr, AS. earh (etymologically the same as Lat. arcus, ‘bow’), disappeared on the introduction of the word.