An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Hacke

by Friedrich Kluge

Hacke, f., ‘heel,’ prop. a MidG. and LG. word (in UpG. Ferse); comp. Du. hak; not recorded in MidHG., but it occurs once in the transition period from OHG. to MidHG. (hachun, ‘heels’); usually derived from hacken. On account of its meaning, it is more probably related to Du. hiel, AS. hôh, ‘heel,’ hêla, f. (for *hôhila), E. heel, and the equiv. Scand. hœ̂ll, m.