An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Ente

by Friedrich Kluge

Ente, f., ‘duck,’ from the equiv. MidHG. ęnte (for *ęnete), ant (plur. ęnte), OHG. anut, ęnit, f.; a term common to Teut.; comp. MidLG. anet(d), Du. eend, AS. œned, OIc. ǫnd, f., ‘duck.’ The assumed Goth. form *anuþs points to a primit. kinship with Lat. anat-, ‘duck,’ with which some have also connected Sans. âti (see, however, Eider), as well as OSlov. ątĭ, Lith. ántis, ‘duck.’ For the E. term ‘duck’ (AS. dûce), see tauchen). —