An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Treppe

by Friedrich Kluge

Treppe, f., ‘stairs, staircase,’ from MidHG. (MidG.) tręppe, trappe, m. and f., ‘stairs, step’; corresponding to Du. trap. This word (for which Stiege occurs in UpG.) belongs to the cognates of trappen (see under trampeln), which are likewise of MidG. and LG. origin; the HG. form (of the 16th and 17th cents.) is properly Trepfe.