An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Kahn

by Friedrich Kluge

Kahn, m., ‘boat, skiff, wherry,’ ModHG. only (strictly unknown to UpG. and Rhen., as in the case of Boot; in UpG. Nachen); from LG. kane, Du. kaan; comp. OIc. kœ́na, f., ‘a kind of boat.’ OIc. kane signifies ‘wooden vessel,’ whence the meaning ‘boat’ might be evolved according to the analogies adduced under Schiff; comp. Dan. kane, with a somewhat different sense ‘sleigh.’ LG. kane looks like a metathesis of AS. naca (comp. fißeln and Ziege). From the Teut. cognates, OFr. cane, ‘ship, is derived, but hardly so ModFr. canot, which is of American origin.