An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/halsen

by Friedrich Kluge

halsen, vb., from the equiv. MidHG. halsen, OHG. halsôn, ‘to embrace, fall on one's neck’; comp. Du. omhelzen, ÁAS. healsian, ‘to implore,’ MidE. halsien, Scand. hálsa, ‘to embrace.’