An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Lunte

by Friedrich Kluge

Lunte, f., ‘lunt, match,’ ModHG. only; corresponding to Du. lonte, E. lunt, Dan. lunte. In earlier ModHG. and in modern dials. it signifies ‘wick of a lamp’ (prop. ‘tow’?), allied to MidHG. lünden, ‘to burn’ (OHG. lunda, ‘tallow’?). Further cognates are uncertain. — Lunte, ‘brush of a fox,’ is a figurative sense of Lunte, ‘lunt’ (i.e., from its fiery colour).