An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Wolke

by Friedrich Kluge

Wolke, f., ‘cloud,’ from the equiv. MidHG. wolken, OHG. wolchan, m.; also in MidHG. (Alem., MidG.) wolke, OHG. wolcha, f., ‘cloud.’ Corresponding to OSax. wolcan, n., Du. wolk, AS. wolcen, ‘cloud’ (to which E. welkin is allied). Under welk a pre-Teut. root welg, ‘moist,’ is assumed, with which the term wolkôn (wolken-), n., ‘cloud’ (lit. ‘the moist thing’), peculiar to West Teut., is connected.