An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Bracke

by Friedrich Kluge

Bracke, m., ‘setter, beagle,’ from the equiv. MidHG. and MidLG. bracke, OHG. braccho; scarcely akin to AS. rœcc, E. rach (‘setter’), and OIc. rakke; in this case the initial b of the Ger. word would be equal to bi (see be-, bei), which is improbable. E. brach (‘setter, beagle’), from MidE. brache, is derived from OFr. brache, which, with its Rom. cognates (comp. Ital. bracco, Fr. braque, brachet), is of Ger. origin. If we must assume Goth. *brakka-, the word, on account of the meaning ‘hound,’ might be connected with Lat. fragrare, ‘to smell strongly.’