FromMiddle High Germantopf, fromOld High German*topf, fromProto-West Germanic*dopp, fromProto-Germanic*duppaz(“hollow, bowl”), fromProto-Indo-European*dʰewb-(“deep, hollow”). Cognate withDutchdop(“little cup, thimble”),Low GermanDopp(“shell, pod, bowl”),Saterland FrisianDop(“shell, pod, bowl”),Englishdop(“cup in which a diamond is cut”).
Both in historic sources and modern dialects, the word is almost entirely restricted toEast Central German (generally asTopp, in the very south asTopf).West Central German only shows a neuter derivative in Middle High Germandüppen (whence e.g.LuxembourgishDëppen). Nevertheless it must have existed in Old High German as thea-mutation assures inheritance. Beginning withLuther's Bible it established itself as the general standard term for “pot”.
Topf m (strong,genitiveTopfesorTopfs,pluralTöpfe,diminutiveTöpfchen norTöpflein n)