An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Wald

by Friedrich Kluge

Wald, m., ‘wood, forest,’ from the equiv. MidHG. walt (d), OHG. wald, n.; corresponding to OSax. wald, Du. would, AS. weald, E. wold, OIc. vǫllr, Goth. *walþus, m., ‘wood.’ Teut. walþu-s, from which OFr. gaut, ‘brushwood,’ is borrowed, points to pre-Teut. waltus (waltwos?), to which Gr. άλσος (for *ϝαλτϝος?) ‘grove,’ and Sans. vâṭa (from *valta), ‘garden, district,’ are probably related. The connection with wild is uncertain.