An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Pranger

by Friedrich Kluge

Pranger, masculine, from the equivalent Middle High German pranger, branger, masculine, ‘stocks, pillory.’ It is impossible to regard this word as a euphemistic term connected with prangen, on account of Dutch prang, ‘pressure, oppression,’ prangen, ‘to press, squeeze,’ pranger, ‘iron collar, barnacles, cooper's hook,’ English dialectic prong, ‘fork.’ These words show that Low German Pranger (the High German dialects have Pfranger) is connected with Gothic praggan, Middle High German pfrengen, ‘to crowd, oppress.’ The further history of the word is obscure.