An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Zink

by Friedrich Kluge

Zink, n. and m., ‘zinc,’ ModHG. only; certainly connected with Zinn. It has been thought that Zinn, ‘tin,’ when borrowed by Slav. was extended by a Slav. suffix k, with which as zink it passed again into Ger. (whence Fr. zinc). Other etymologists assume a connection with the following word, because tin when melting forms spikes (Zinken).