An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Kapaun

by Friedrich Kluge

Kapaun, masculine, ‘capon,’ from the equivalent Middle High German kappûn; borrowed after the era of the substitution of consonants from Romance cappônem (Latin capo, equivalent to Greek κἀπων); compare Italian cappone, French chapon (whence also Servian kopun). Even in the Anglo-Saxon period capûn, ‘gallinaceus,’ is found derived from the same source (English capon); compare Dutch kapoen. From the Latin nominative cappo is derived Middle High German kappe, and even Old High German chappo. For another term see under Hahnrei.