An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Zinken

by Friedrich Kluge

Zinken, masculine, ‘spike, prong,’ from the equivalent Middle High German zinke, Old High German zinko, masculine. How the equivalent Middle High German zint, Old Icelandic tindr, and Modern High German Zacke are connected with this word is not clear. Late Middle High German zinke (and zint), as a designation of a wind instrument (cornet), has been preserved in Modern High German.