An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Speicher

by Friedrich Kluge

Speicher, m., ‘granary, corn-loft,’ from the equiv. MidHG. spîcher, OHG. spîhheri (spîhhâri), m.; corresponding to OSax. spîkâri and Du. spijker. The permutation of the medial k to hh in HG. indicates that the word was borrowed before the 8th cent. (see Spelt). Lat. spîcârium, ‘granary,’ was probably introduced in the 4th cent. from the South of Europe with the art of building in stone (see Keller, also Söller and Ziegel); it is remarkable, however, that the word rarely occurs in the Rom. languages; Speicher is also wanting in Bav. Comp. also Speiche.