An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Eichel

by Friedrich Kluge

Eichel, f., from the equiv. MidHG. eichel, OHG. eihhila, ‘acorn, fruit of the oak’ (corresponding to Du. eikel). The form was orig. a diminutive of Eiche, ‘the offspring of the oak,’ as it were; the derivative is wanting in E. and Scand. Eckern, ModHG., is not a cognate. —