An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Kanne

by Friedrich Kluge

Kanne, feminine, ‘can, tankard, jug,’ from the equivalent Middle High German kanne, Old High German channa, feminine; compare Anglo-Saxon canne, English can; Old Icelandic kanna, Gothic *kannô. The Old Teutonic word cannot have been borrowed from Latin cantharus (Greek κάνθαρος); an assumed corruption of kantarum, masculine accusative to a feminine kannô, is improbable. The derivation of Kanne, from Latin canna, ‘cane,’ is opposed by the meaning of the word. Since Modern High German Kahn is based upon a Teutonic root ka-, the latter can hardly be adduced in explanation of Kanne, although the meaning of both might be deduced from a primary sense ‘hollowed wood,’ If we assume, as is quite possible, a Gothic *kaznô, ‘can,’ another etymology presents itself, Gothic kas, Old Icelandic ker and Old High German char, ‘vessel,’ would be cognate, and -nô-, a suffix of the same root. If we compare, however, with Kanne the Suabian and Alemannian variant Kante, which is based upon Old High German chanta, we obtain kan- as the root. The German word passed into French (Modern French canette, ‘small can,’ equivalent to Middle Latin cannetta, diminutive of Middle Latin canna).