An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Wagen

by Friedrich Kluge

Wagen, m., ‘vehicle, carriage, waggon,’ from the equiv. MidHG. wagen, OHG. wagan, m.; corresponding to the equiv. Du. wagen, AS. wœgn, E. wain, OIc. vagn, ‘waggon.’ Based on the Teut. root wëg (see Weg); from the corresponding Aryan root wëgh, wogh, ‘to drag, drive,’ are derived Gr. ἄχος, Lat. vehiculum, OIc. fén, ‘waggon.’ The Aryan words Rad and Nabe show that vehicles were used in primitive times; for the Aryan root wegh, ‘to drag, to move on,’ see wegen. —