An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Milbe

by Friedrich Kluge

Milbe, f., from the equiv. MidHG. milwe, OHG. milwa, miliwa, f., ‘mite, moth’; Goth. *milwjô, or rather *milwi, f., are wanting. To this Goth. malô, f., ‘moth,’ and OIc. mǫlr, ‘moth,’ are allied. These terms are derived from the root mel, mal, ‘to grind’; Milbe, Goth. malô, ‘the grinding (i.e., producing dust or meal) insect’; to the same root OSlov. molĭ, ‘moth,’ also belongs.