An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/schmoren

by Friedrich Kluge

schmoren, vb., ‘to swelter, stew, fry,’ ModHG. only, formed from LG. and Du. smoren, ‘to roast, stew,’ also ‘to stifle, fume’; comp. AS. smorian, ‘to stifle.’ Those who regard ‘to roast, stew,’ as the prim. meaning of the cognates may trace AS. smorian to Goth. smuzôn, and explain ModHG. Schmaus from some such orig. sense as ‘cook-shop.’ Yet AS. and MidE. smorþer, ‘steam,’ E. smother, probably points to a root with a final r.