An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/lechzen
lechzen, vb., ‘to be parched with thirst,’ from MidHG. lëchzen, lëchezen, prop. ‘to dry,’ then ‘to be parched with thirst’ (comp. Durst). It is connected with the earlier ModHG. adj. lëch, ‘leaky,’ for which the LG. form is used (comp. leck), MidHG. lëchen, ‘to dry up, crack and leak through dryness’; in Goth. probably a str. vb. *likan; comp. OIc. leka, ‘to drip, leak’; E. to leak, AS. leccan, ‘to water.’ The Goth. stem is probably lik, by gradation lak (or rather hlak). OIr. legaim, ‘to melt away, dissolve,’ is closely related in sound and meaning. Comp. also the following word.