An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Elentier

by Friedrich Kluge

Elentier, n., also Elen, Elend, m. and n., ‘elk,’ first occurs in ModHG. with an excrescent d (as in Mond); borrowed from Lith. élnis, ‘elk’ (OSlov. jelenĭ, ‘stag’), with which OSlov. lani, ‘hind’ (from *olnia), is primit. allied. From the ModHG. word Fr. élan, ‘elk,’ is derived. The genuine OG. term for Elen is Elch (E. elk); comp. MidHG. ëlch, ëlhe, m., OHG. ëlaho, AS. eolh, OIc. elgr. The last word (originating in algi-) is termed alces in Cæsar's Bell. Gall., with which Russ. losĭ (from OSlav. *olsĭ?) is also remotely connected. Perhaps OG. Elch facilitated the introduction of the Lith. word.