An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Lindwurm

by Friedrich Kluge

Lindwurm, masculine, ‘winged serpent or dragon,’ borrowed, with the revival of Middle High German literature in the last century, from Middle High German lintwurm, Old High German lindwurm, masculine, ‘dragon’ (compare also Wurm). The first component is identical in meaning with the second, which is only an explanation of the obscure term Lind, which was no longer understood; compare Old High German lind, lint, ‘serpent’; Old Icelandic linnr, ‘serpent’ (for *linþr). Windhund is a similar compound.