An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Laken

by Friedrich Kluge

Laken, masculine and neuter, ‘sheet, shroud,’ Modern High German only, from Low German (Old Low German lakan); in High German properly Lachen, Middle High German lachen, Old High German lahhan. Westphalia sent a great deal of linen (compare Linnen) to South Germany, hence the Low German may have supplanted the High German form. Allied to Middle English lake and Modern High German Leilach.