Verb

hohlen

Translation

to get, to fetch, to go and get

Kannst du bitte Milch holen?

Can you please get milk?

Ich hole mir einen Kaffee.

I'm getting myself a coffee.

Wir müssen einen Arzt holen.

We have to get a doctor.

((sth.)) holen to get/fetch sth. I'll go get the mail.

((sb.dat)) ((sth.acc)) holen to get sth. for sb. Can you get me a water?

sich ((sth.)) holen to get sth. for oneself I'm getting myself a tea.

bringen (to bring), bekommen (to get/receive)

From Old High German 'holōn' (to call, pull). Cognate with the English word 'haul'.

Imagine you have to go get something from a 'hole'. You have to 'holen' it out of the hole.