hantieren

Meaning

to handle; to tamper

Pronounced as (IPA)

/hanˈtiːʁən/

Etymology

From Middle High German hantieren, which is borrowed—probably via Middle Low German—from Middle Dutch hanteren, itself from Old French hanter (“to frequent someone”). The Old French word is usually traced back Old Norse heimta (“to bring home”). The semantic development in German is based on popular association with Hand (“hand”) (already in Middle Dutch).