An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Wicke

by Friedrich Kluge

Wicke (1.), feminine, ‘vetch, tare,’ from the equivalent Middle High German wicke, Old High German wiccha, feminine; corresponding to Dutch wikke. Borrowed from Latin vicia, ‘vetch,’ whence the equivalent Italian veccia, French vesce (English vetch). The period at which it was borrowed (contemporaneous with Spelt?) is fixed by the representation of Latin v by w (compare Pfau, Pfühl with Vogt and Veilchen), as well as the retention of the Latin c as k (compare Kreuz).

Wicke (2.), feminine ‘wick,’ see Wieche.