spaetzle

[ shpet-sluh, -suhl, -slee ]

noun

1. a dish consisting of lumps or threads made from a batter of flour, milk, eggs, and salt, usually poured through a coarse colander into boiling water, and then either drained and mixed in butter, lightly pan-fried, or added to sauces, stews, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of spaetzle¹

< German (dial.) Spätzle, diminutive of Spatz dumpling, sparrow, Middle High German, derivative of spar sparrow