An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Karfunkel

by Friedrich Kluge

Karfunkel, m., ‘carbuncle,’ from MidHG. karbunkel, m., with the variant karfunkel, probably based on MidHG. vunke, ModHG. Funke; b is the original sound, for the word is based upon Lat. carbunculus (comp. E. carbuncle, ModFr. escarboucle).