An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Legel

by Friedrich Kluge

Legel, m., ‘keg, cruse,’ from MidHG. lœ̂gel, lâgel, lœ̂gele, f., ‘small cask,’ OHG. lâgila, lâgella, f., which is derived from MidLat. lagêna, ‘a measure for liquids and for dry goods’ (Lat. lagôna, lagoena, ‘flask,’ from Gr. λάγηνος, λάγῦνος ἡ, ‘flagon’); with respect to l for Lat. n in words borrowed from Lat. comp. Kümmel (also Himmel, schlennig). Moreover, the primit. kinship of the HG. cognates with OSlov. lakŭtĭ, Lith. lakas, ‘earthen pitcher,’ is perhaps conceivable.