An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Kragen

by Friedrich Kluge

Kragen, m., ‘collar,’ from MidHG. krage, m., ‘neck’ (of men and animals), also ‘nape,’ then further, ‘article worn round the neck, collar’; wanting in OHG., OSax., AS., and OIc. MidE. crawe, E. craw, ‘crop’ (of birds), point to AS. *craga; E. variant crag, ‘neck, nape,’ dial. also ‘crop’; ModIc. kragi, m., ‘collar,’ is of G. origin. Goth. kraga, m., ‘neck, throat,’ is wanting. Further references are uncertain; Gr. βρόγχος, ‘windpipe,’ may be allied, since its initial β may represent g (grogho-, grongho-); comp. also βρόχθος, ‘gullet, throat.’ MidHG. krage is also used personally as an abusive term, ‘fool’; hence ModHG. Geizkragen, ‘niggard.’