An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Knochen

by Friedrich Kluge

Knochen, m., ‘bone,’ from MidHG. knoche, m. ‘bone, knot of a branch, fruit capsule,’ The ModHG. word, almost unknown to Luther, rarely occurs in MidHG., and is entirely wanting in OHG. (Bein is the genuine UpG. and HG. word for Knochen, which again is orig. native to the MidG. and LG. dialects.) Knochen is, however, proved by the corresponding dimin. Knöchel to be a good OTeut. word; Goth. *knuqa, m., may be assumed. It is still uncertain whether it is connected with E. to knock, AS. cnucian, OIc. knoka, MidHG. knochen, ‘to cuff,’ or is related to OIc. knúe, ‘knuckle,’ which would favour its further kinship with Knie. From *knuqa, UpG. Knocke, ‘snag, knot,’ MidHG. knock, ‘nape,’ may be derived; their ck correctly represents the old q. Allied words with final g in the stem are, however, obscure, MidHG. knögerlin, ‘little knot, and MidHG. knügel, ‘knuckle.’