An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Scheffel

by Friedrich Kluge

Scheffel, masculine, ‘crown (of the head), vertex,’ from Middle High German scheitel, Old High German sceitila, feminine, ‘vertex, crown, parting of the hair from the crown to the forehead'; corresponding to Dutch (haar) scheel, Middle Low German schédel. Allied to scheiden; literally ‘part of the head where the hairs separate, i.e., where they are parted to either side.’ Akin to Anglo-Saxon sčęâda, ‘crown,’ English to shed.