An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Flucht

by Friedrich Kluge

Flucht, f., ‘flight, escape, refuge; row, floor,’ the equiv. MidHG. vluht, OHG. and OSax. fluht, f., a verbal abstract from fliehen; Du. vlugt, AS. flyht, E. flight; Goth. *þlaúhti-, ‘flight,’ is wanting, for which þlauhi- occurs. In OIc. flótte, m., ‘flight,’ pointing to Goth. þlaúhta. The verbal abstract of fliegen might in Scand. and West Teut. coincide with this word; in fact, AS. flyht, E. flight, and Du. vlugt signify both ‘fleeing’ and ‘flying.’ See fliegen with respect to this confusion.