An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Galgant

by Friedrich Kluge

Galgant, m., ‘galangal,’ from the equiv. MidHG. galgan, galgân, galgant, m.; comp. MidE. galingale, E. galangal; a medicinal herb of the Middle Ages, known under the same name to Rom. (comp. Ital. galanga, Fr. galanga — MidLat. galanga; also Mid Gr. γαλάγγα). The origin of the term has probably been rightly ascribed to the East; some etymologists compare it with Arab galang.