An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Kabliau

by Friedrich Kluge

Kabliau, Kabeljau, masculine, ‘cod-fish,’ first occurs in early Modern High German, recorded in Low German from the 15th century and adopted by the literary language; from Dutch kabeljaauw; Swedish kabeljo, Danish kabeljau, English cabliau; also, with a curious transposition of consonants (see Essig, kitzeln, Kitze), Dutch bakeljauw, which is based upon Basque baccallaóa. The Basques were the first cod-fishers (especially on the coast of Newfoundland, the chief fishing-place). See Labberdan.