An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Klee

by Friedrich Kluge

Klee, masculine, ‘clover,’ from the equivalent Middle High German klê (genitive k'êwes), masculine, Old High German chlê, chlêo (genitive chlêwes). masculine and neuter; based on klaiw- (see See, Schnee). The remaining Low German dialects, have an extended form, in some cases only partially corresponding, Anglo-Saxon clœ̂fre, clâfre, feminine, English clover, Dutch klaver, Low German klever and klȧver, ‘clover.’ Perhaps these are based on some obscure compound. Except in the West Teutonic languages, too, there are no terms cognate with High German Klee; in Scandinavian, Icelandic smári (smœrur), Norwegian and Swedish (dialectic) smœre are used; Danish klöver is borrowed.