An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Nachtigall

by Friedrich Kluge

Nachtigall, f., ‘nightingale,’ from the equiv. MidHG. nahtegal, OHG. nahte-gala, f.; a term common to the West Teut. languages for ‘luscinia,’ prop. ‘singer in the night’ (allied to OTeut. galan, ‘to sing’); OSax. nahtigala, Du. nachtegaal, AS. nihtegale, E. nightingale.