An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Ecker

by Friedrich Kluge

Ecker, f., ‘acorn,’ simply ModHG., from MidG. and LG. ecker, ‘acorn, beech nut’; there is also in UpG. a word *acheren primit. allied and equiv. to Swiss ackeram (Bav. akram). Comp. the corresponding Goth. akran, n., ‘produce, fruit (generally),’ OIc. akarn, n., AS. œcern, E. acorn, Du. aker, ‘acorn.’ Since the meaning ‘acorn, beechnut,’ is a recent specialisation in comparison with Goth. akran, ‘produce, fruit,’ the cognates nay be connected with Goth. akrs, HG. Acker, and perhaps also with Lith. ŭga, ‘berry,’ unless the later is more closely allied to Lat. uva. In any case its kinship with Eiche must be denied, since the latter would be *aiks in Goth. The mutation of the stem in ModHG. and LG. Ecker must be explained by a Goth. *akrin.