An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Rachen

by Friedrich Kluge

Rachen, m., ‘throat, jaws, abyss,’ from the equiv. MidHG. rache, OHG. rahho, m., for the earlier *hrahho; comp. AS. hraca, m., ‘throat,’ perhaps also AS. hracca, ‘back of the head, nape,’ E. rack, ‘neck of mutton’; also Du. raak, ‘back part of the palate, inner parts of the month.’ Further references for determining the origin of the word are wanting; no relation to Kragen is possible.