[G. kobold, kobolt (dial. kob(b)elt, kubbelt), MHG. kobolt (chowolt) = MDu. cobout (cobbout, coubout, Du. kabouter); ulterior etymology uncertain.
Hildebrand, in Grimm, favors an original *kobwalt, f. kobe house, COVE sb.1 + stem of walten to rule, WIELD; cf. OE. cofgodas, -godu as renderings of L. lares and penates.]
In German folklore: a. A familiar spirit, haunting houses and rendering services to the inmates, but often of a tricky disposition; a brownie. b. An underground spirit haunting mines or caves; a goblin or gnome.
[1635. Heywood, Hierarch., IX. 568. The parts Septentrionall are with these Sp’ryts Much haunted, where are seen an infinit store About the places where they dig for Oare. The Greeks and Germans call them Cobali. Ibid., 574. Kibaldi.]
1830. Scott, Demonol., 121. The Kobolds were a species of gnomes, who haunted the dark and solitary places, and were often seen in the mines.
1849. A. J. Symington, Harebell Chimes, 11. Witch, kobold, sprite … and imp of every kind.
1870. Emerson, Soc. & Solit., Work & Days, Wks. (Bohn), III. 65. What of the grand tools with which we engineer, like kobolds and enchanters?
fig. 1870. Lowell, Among My Books, Ser. I. (1873), 217. There in the corner is the little black kobold of a doubt making mouths at him.
