An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Fessel

by Friedrich Kluge

Fessel (1.), f., ‘fetter, chain, shackle,’ from MidHG. vęȥȥel, OHG. fęȥȥil, m., ‘band for fastening and holding the sword,’ then also ‘band, fetter’; AS. fętel, ‘sword-belt,’ OIc. fetell, m., ‘band, bandage, sword-belt’; akin to root fat (see Faß, fassen), ‘to hold’?. The ModHG. has retained its general sense by taking the place of another OTeut. word for ‘fetter’; MidHG. vëȥȥer, f., ‘fetter, shackle for the foot,’ OHG. fëȥȥera, OSax. fëter, AS. fëter, E. fetters (plur.), OIc. fjǫturr. These words, which are usually connected with Lat. pedica, Gr. πέδη, ‘fetter,’ Lat. compes, and hence with the cognates of ModHG. Fuß, can scarcely be allied to the terms indicating a Goth. *fatils, ‘sword-belt.’

Fessel (2.), f., ‘pastern.’ See Fuß.