An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Barke

by Friedrich Kluge

Barke, f., ‘barque, boat,’ from the equiv. MidHG. barke, f.; corresponds to Scand. barke, ‘barque’; not of Germ. origin. The cognates are based upon an equiv. Rom. class with the primit. forms barca-barica (found even in the 7th cent. in Isidore); comp. Fr. barque (besides OFr. barge, from MidLat. barica; whence E. barge, LG. Barse), Ital. barca; OIr. barc is of similar origin. The ultimate source of the cognates (Spain?) is uncertain.