An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Riester

by Friedrich Kluge

Riester, m.,. ‘wrist, instep, patch (on a shoe),’ ModHG. only; probably a primit. word, but of obscure origin. This word, which is unknown to Bav., has, according to Swiss riešter, rieštere, m. and f., a genuine diphthong equiv. to Goth. iu; hence MidHG. altriuȥe, riuȥe, ‘cobbler,’ preserved in ModHG. dials. as Altreise, ‘second-hand dealer,’ is perhaps allied.