An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Lohe

by Friedrich Kluge

Lohe (1.), f., ‘blaze,’ from MidHG. lohe, m. (MidG. also f.), ‘flame, lurid ray,’ OHG. *loho (Goth. *laúha); the term used in OHG. was loug, MidHG. louc (AS. lêg, lîg). These, like OIc. loge, m., ‘flame,’ are derived from the Teut. root luh, ‘to give light,’ which still exists in HG. Licht, and which as Aryan luk appears in Lat. lucere, lux, OSlov. luča, ‘ray,’ and the Sans. ruc, ‘to shine,’ rocis, ‘light.’

Lohe (2.), f., ‘tanning bark,’ from the equiv. MidHG., MidLG., and OHG. lô (gen. lôwes), n.; comp. Du. looi. Distinct from Lohe (1), since it presumes a Goth. *lawa-; origin obscure.