An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Losung
Appearance
Losung, f., ‘war-cry, watchword,’ from the equiv. late MidHG. losunge, lôȥunge, the first appearance of which in the 15th cent. makes it impossible to determine the correct MidHG. form and its derivation (from Los? or from losen, ‘to hear’? see lauschen).