An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Malter

by Friedrich Kluge

Malter, m. and n., ‘measure’ (in Pruss. formerly about 18 bush.), from MidHG. malter, malder, n., ‘corn measure’; comp. OHG. maltar, OSax. maldar, n., ‘measure.’ Formed by means of the Teut. suffix -þra-, -dra- (Gr. τρο-, Lat. tro-, comp. Alter), from the root mal; see mahlen, Malter means lit. ‘grinding,’ then ‘the quantity given to be ground at one time.’