An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/lichten

by Friedrich Kluge

lichten, vb., ‘to lighten, weigh (anchor),’ ModHG. only; MidHG. lüften, ‘to raise aloft, lift up, air,’ as well as E. to lift, are unconnected with this word. Lichten, as a nautical term, is borrowed from LG. lichten, lit. ‘to make light,’ then ‘to lift up.’