An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Wucher

by Friedrich Kluge

Wucher, masculine, ‘usury, interest,’ from Middle High German wuocher, Old High German wuohhar, masculine and neuter, ‘produce, fruit, gain, profit’; corresponding to Gothic wôkrs, ‘usury.’ The Old High German and Middle High German sense ‘descendants’ points to a Teutonic root wak, ‘to arise, bear,’ which is identical with the Aryan root wō̆g, ‘to be astir, successful, energetic’ (see wecken); compare Sanscrit vãja, masculine, ‘power, strength, nourishment, prosperity,’ and Anglo-Saxon onwœcnan, ‘to be born.’ In meaning the Aryan root aug, ‘to increase,’ cognate with Aryan wog, is more closely connected; compare Latin augere, Gothic aukan (Lithuanian augti, ‘to grow’).