An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Enke

by Friedrich Kluge

Enke, m. (unknown to UpG.), from the equiv. MidHG. ęnke, m., ‘farm servant, bind,’ OHG. ęncho, *ancheo (*ankjo), m., ‘servant’; corresponds only to OFris. inka and LG. enke, ‘servant.’ It is uncertain whether the word is primit. cognate with Lat. ancilla, ‘maid-servant,’ since Lat. c would be normally changed into LG. h or g; perhaps, however, it is based on the Aryan root ank or ang.