An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Schlange

by Friedrich Kluge

Schlange, f., ‘serpent,’ from the equiv. MidHG. slange, m. and f., OHG. slango, m.; comp. OIc. slange, m., ‘serpent,’ Du. slang; a graded form of schlingen, hence Schlinge is lit. ‘that which coils.’ —