An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Teich

by Friedrich Kluge

Teich, m., ‘pond, pool,’ from MidHG. tîch, m., ‘fish-pond, pond’ (it is uncertain whether OHG. dîh, ‘eddy, whirlpool,’ is the same word. The LG. cognates of ModHG. Deich seem to be connected; AS. dîč, E. ditch, dike (OIc. díke), border on the meaning of Teich. Teut. dîko- (from dhîghn-?) may be primit. allied to Gr. τίφος (from dhîghos?), n., ‘pond, bog.’