An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Schwanz

by Friedrich Kluge

Schwanz, mn., ‘tail, trail, train,’ from the equiv. MidHG. swanz, m. (for OHG. *swanz a form zagal, MidHG. zagel, equiv. to E. tail, is used). Through the medium of the intensive forms swangezen, swankzen, MidHG. swanz is connected with schwingen: MidHG. swansen, ‘to shake to and fro,’ Du. swanselen, ‘to reel.’