An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/mäkeln

by Friedrich Kluge

mäkeln, makeln, vb., ‘to transact business as a broker,’ ModHG. only; from the equiv. LG. mäkeln, Du. makelen, which are allied to maken, ‘to make’ (handeln also combines the meanings ‘to make’ and ‘to traffic’). Fr. maquereau (whence E. mackerel), ‘pimp,’ is said to be derived from these cognates on account of OHG. huormahhâri, ‘pimp.’