An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Tuch

by Friedrich Kluge

Tuch, neuter, ‘cloth, stuff; kerchief,’ from the equivalent Middle High German tuoch, Old High German tuoh (hh), masculine and neuter; compare Old Low German dôk, Dutch doek, ‘cloth.’ To these is also allied Old Icelandic dúkr, ‘cloth,’ whence English duck (canvas). On account of the Old Icelandic signification ‘table-cloth,’ Tuch has been compared with Gothic gadauka, ‘messmate.’ The early history of the West Teutonic dôko-, ‘cloth’ (from pre-Teutonic dhâgo-), is obscure.