An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Nachen

by Friedrich Kluge

Nachen, m., ‘boat, skiff,’ from the equiv. MidHG. nache, OHG. nahho, m.; corresponding to OSax. naco, Du. naak, aak (respecting the form without n see Näber), AS. naca, m. (obsolete in later E.); OIc. nǫkkve, m., ‘boat’; Goth. *naqa, m., is by chance not recorded (see also Rahn). Its origin is obscure; perhaps Lat. nâv-is, Gr. ναῦ-ς, Sans. nãus, are allied, Lat. nav- being changed to naq. Comp. queck.