An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Ahne

by Friedrich Kluge

Ahne, f., ‘boon’ (of flax or hemp), from MidHG. âne, older agene, f., ‘chaff'; OHG. agana, f., ‘chaff;’ also AS. *agon, œgne, MidE. awene, E. awns, Goth. ahana, OIc. ǫgn, ‘chaff.’ In these cognates two really different roots seem to have been blended in various ways; the meaning ‘chaff' would be applicable to the one, just as the exact Gr. corresponding ἄχνη, ‘chaff, foam’ (of the sea), likewise points to Aryan aghnâ (comp. besides Gr. ἄχυρον, ‘chaff’). The other is perhaps lit. ‘prickle, awn,’ and belongs to the root ah (Aryan ak); see Ähre.