An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Thon

by Friedrich Kluge

Thon, m., ‘clay,’ earlier ModHG. Than, Tahen, from MidHG. tâhe, dâhe, OHG. dâha, f., ‘clay, loam’ (also ‘earthen vessel’); corresponding to Goth. þâhô (from *þânhô), f., ‘clay,’ AS. þô (older þôhœ), f., ‘clay,’ OIc. þá, f., ‘clayey soil.’ No words occur in the other Aryan languages to elucidate the implied pre-Teut. tankân, ‘loam.’