An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Schanze

by Friedrich Kluge

Schanze (1.), feminine, ‘chance, fortune’; compare etwas in die Schanze schlagen, ‘to hazard something.’ From Middle High German schanze, feminine, ‘throw at dice, lucky throw, game’; borrowed from the equivalent French and English chance (Middle Latin cadentia, ‘throwing of the dice,’ Italian cadenza, ‘fall’).

Schanze (2.), feminine, ‘redoubt, earthwork,’ from late Middle High German schanze, feminine, ‘bundle of faggots, redoubt’; akin to Dutch schans. Of obscure origin.