An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Zins

by Friedrich Kluge

Zins, masculine, ‘tribute, rent, (plural) interest,’ from Middle High German and Old High German zins, masculine, ‘duty, tribute.’ Borrowed during the Old High German period (compare Kreuz) from Latin census (Italian censo), ‘census, tax.’ The High German word passed in the form tins into Old Saxon; in Dutch, eijns.