An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Schnake

by Friedrich Kluge

Schnake, f., ‘gnat, midge,’ from the equiv. MidHG. snâke, m. and f.; the sounds point to OHG. *snâko (from the base *snâggo; comp. Hafen, from the base *hâggo). The prop. LG. schnake, f., ‘water-snake,’ is different from this word, and corresponds to E. snake, AS. snăcu, ‘snake,’ OIc. snákr, snókr, ‘snake’ (Swed. snok, ‘water-snake’).