An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Schnupfen

by Friedrich Kluge

Schnupfen, masculine, ‘cold (in the head), rheum,’ from the equivalent Middle High German snū̆pfe, masculine and feminine. The Teutonic root snū̆pp contained in these words, with which Schnuppe and Old Icelandic snoppa, feminine, ‘snout,’ are connected, is identical with the Teutonic root snuf (snū̆b) in schnauben and schnüffeln. It may be also allied to the Aryan roots snū̆p and snū̆t (in schneuzen).