An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Flachs

by Friedrich Kluge

Flachs, m., ‘flax,’ from the equiv. MidHG. vlahs, OHG. flahs, m.; comp. Du. vlas, AS. fleax, n., E. flax; a common West Teut. term, unknown to Scand. and Goth. Usually referred to the root fleh (or fleht) in flechten; s (Goth. *flahsa-) is probably a suffix.