An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Kicher

by Friedrich Kluge

Kicher, f., ‘chick-pea,’ from the equiv. MidHG. kicher, OHG. chihhurra, chihhira, f.; based on Lat. cicer (plur. cicera), n., ‘chick-pea,’ cicera, f., ‘chickling vetch'; MidLat. cicoria, cichorea, which would be most closely allied phonetically to OHG. chihhurra, signifies ‘chicory (Gr. κἴχώριον). MidE. chiche, E. chiches, chickpeas, plur., with the suffix r wanting as in Fr. chiche, Ital. cece. The term was borrowed before the OHG. period (Du. sisererwt is more recent).