An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Zelter

by Friedrich Kluge

Zelter, m., ‘palfrey, ambling pace,’ from the equiv. MidHG. zëlter, OHG. zëltâri, m. Lit. ‘a horse that goes at a gentle pace’; allied to Bav. and MidHG. zëlt, m., ‘amble, gentle pace,’ Du. telganger, ‘ambler.’ To this AS. tealtrian, ‘to totter,’ is probably allied.