Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic/helmô

Etymology
Usually thought to be from, earlier , from the root ; equivalent to. Cognate with 🇨🇬. However, the semantic connection is weak.

An alternative theory by Kroonen links and, from , assuming the original meaning of  was closer to “cane” and referred just to the shaft of a handle implement.

Note the presence of in the related synonyms.

Noun

 * 1) handle, especially for steering a boat: helm, tiller
 * 2) rudder