An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Dank

by Friedrich Kluge

Dank, m., ‘thanks, acknowledgment, recompense,’ from the equiv. MidHG. and OHG. danc, m.; corresponds to Goth. þagks (þanks), AS. þanc, E. thanks. Etymologically Dank is simply ‘thinking,’ hence ‘the sentiment merely, not expressed in deeds.’ See denken; dünken.