An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Schenk

by Friedrich Kluge

Schenk, masculine, ‘publican, cupbearer,’ from the equivalent Middle High German schęnke, Old High German scęncho (Old Saxon scęnkio), masculine, ‘cupbearer.’ From Teutonic is derived French échanson (Old French eschançon, Middle Latin scancionem). —

schenken, verb, ‘to pour out for drinking, bestow, give,’ from Middle High German schęnken, ‘to pour in, give to drink, water, make a present of, give’; Old High German scęnchen, ‘to pour in, give to drink.’ The meaning ‘to give’ first appears in the post-classical times of Middle High German ‘To pour in, give to drink,’ is the primary meaning; it is characteristic of German that the sense ‘to give,’ could be developed from this (similarly Modern High German gefallen attests the importance of dice-playing in Teutonic life; compare also zechen). The primary meaning appears in Anglo-Saxon sčęnčan, Old Frisian skenka, Old Icelandic skenkja; from Teutonic is also formed Old French escancer, ‘to pour in.’ Gothic *skagkjan is wanting. Some etymologists regard the common Teutonic verb as a derivative of Anglo-Saxon sčęonc, sčę́onca, ‘shank,’ assuming that shanks were used as taps in the earliest times; hence schenken would mean literally ‘to put the tap in a cask.’ See the next word.