An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Karch

by Friedrich Kluge

Karch, m., ‘dray,’ from the equiv. MidHG. karrech, karrich, OHG. charrū̆k (hh), m. Probably current even in the 8th cent. on the Up. and Mid. Rhine, as may be inferred from the initial h, ch (comp. Pferd). It is based upon the late Lat. carruca, ‘honoratorum vehiculum opertum, four wheeled travelling car’ (a derivative of carrus; comp. Karren); Fr. charrue, ‘plough,’ is likewise based upon Lat. carrûca, which also signifies ‘plough’ in MidLat.