>which however doesn't match Rom. $arpe < serpe:s < serpens.
Along with the variant (today less frequent) $érpe.
But let's note the derivatives: $erpár (2 meanings),
$erpãríe, adj. $erpésc & $erpíu + adv. $erpé$te
(snake-like),
$erpi$ór/$erpu$ór & $erpuléte & $erpurél (diminutival:
little snake), augmentative: $erpói, verb a $erpuí/-íre/
-ít+-ór/-úrã preserve the [e], so that $arpe must be
a late variant (I assume < $_ea_rpe).
>Alb. gjashtë
This one we could superficially -> phonetically compare
with <dé$te>, a popular and regional derivation of
<dégete> "fingers" (via the intermediate <déjete>).
>Piotr
George