An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/scheckig

by Friedrich Kluge

scheckig, adjective, ‘dappled, spotted, pied,’ from Middle High German (rare) schëcke, ‘striped, spotted,’ to which are also allied Middle High German schëcken, ‘to make of various colours,’ schëckëht, ‘spotted,’ also Middle High German schëcke, ‘a closely-fitting striped coat,’ Anglo-Saxon sciccels, ‘coat.’ It is, on the other hand, assumed that the word is borrowed from French échec, ‘check’ (Italian a scacchi); compare English checky.