An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Erbse

by Friedrich Kluge

Erbse, f., ‘pea,’ from the equiv. MidHG. arcweiȥ, ęrweiȥ, ęrwiȥ, f., OHG. araweiȥ, arwîȥ, f.; corresponding to OLG. ęrit, Du. erwt, ert, OIc. ertr, plur. The cognates are probably borrowed, as is indicated by the similarity in sound to Gr. ἐρέβινθος and ὄροβος, ‘chick-pea’ (see Almosen); comp. also Lat. ervum, ‘bitter vetch,’ akin to the equiv. AS. earfe. Direct adoption from Gr. or Lat. is impossible; the way it was introduced cannot be discovered. Probably Erbse is one of the words which Gr. and Teut. have obtained from the same source, as in the case of Hanf. In Eng., Lat. pisum (Fr. pois) was adopted for ‘pea’ early in the AS. period; comp. AS. peose, pise, E. pease (and pea).