Proto-Germanic: *pala-
Meaning: firm, steady
East Frisian: pal `unbeweglich, fest'
Dutch: (Kiliaen) pal zetten, pal staan; te pal setten `vastsetten' (1768), ter palle, te pal komen/raken `vastlopen, in moeilijkheden geraken' (XVI e.)
Low German: pal `unbeweglich, fest'