An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Kehle

by Friedrich Kluge

Kehle, feminine, ‘throat; channel, fluting,’ from the equivalent Middle High German and Middle Low German kele, feminine, Old High German chëla; corresponding to Dutch keel, Anglo-Saxon čeole (obsolete in English) and čeolor. In Gothic perhaps *kilô (genitive *kilôns). Since Teutonic k is derived from pre-Teutonic g, we may compare Sanscrit gala and Latin gula, ‘throat.’ See Herz.