An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Gienmuschel

by Friedrich Kluge

Gienmuschel, f., ‘a species of tellina,’ allied to MidHG. ginen (gienen), ‘to gape, open the mouth wide,’ OHG. ginên; the latter is derived from an OTeut. root gī̆ (Aryan ghī̆), ‘to bark, gape, open the mouth wide.’ See gähnen.