An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Löffel
Löffel, m., ‘spoon, ladle,’ from the equiv. MidHG. lęffel, OHG. lęffil (lępfil), m.; corresponding to LG. and Du. lepel (whence Ic. lepill, ‘spoon’), Derived from a Teut. root lap, ‘to drink, lick,’ which is assumed by OHG. laffan, ‘to lick, AS. lapian, ‘to drink, lap’; further by Lat. lambere, ‘to lick’; hence Löffel means lit. ‘a utensil for sipping liquids’ (see Lefze and Lippe). The Scand. term is spánn, which was adopted in E. as spoon (in AS. cucelêre, equiv. to Lat. cochlear; see under Span.