An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Windhund

by Friedrich Kluge

Windhund, masculine, Windspiel, neuter, ‘greyhound, harrier,’ from the equivalent Middle High German wintbracke, wintspil; these compounds are tautological forms for Middle High German and Old High German wint, ‘greyhound.’ It is probably not connected with Wind, though the two words are instinctively associated. On account of the limited area of its diffusion, the prehistoric form cannot be discovered. Its kinship with Hund (Teutonic hundo-, from hwundo-) is perhaps possible (Wind-, from hwindo-?); in that case the assonance with Wind must have caused the differentiation.