An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Hechel

by Friedrich Kluge

Hechel, f., ‘flax-comb,’ from MidHG. hęchel, also hachel, f.: comp. Du. hekel; MidE. hechele, E. hatchel and hackle; wanting in OIc.; Swed. häckla, Dan. hegle (Goth. *hakila, *hakula, is assumed). Probably allied to OHG. and MidHG. hęcchen, hecken (hakjan), ‘to pierce’ (espec. of snakes), and further to the cognates of Hafen (E. hook). Goth. hakuls, ‘cloak,’ OHG. hahhul, MidHG. hachel, m., OIc. hǫkull, m., AS. hacele, ‘cloak,’ are not allied; they belong rather to a conjectural Goth. *hôka, f., ‘goat’ (AS. hêcen, ‘kid,’ from Goth. *hôkein, n.; see under Geiß), and hence probably mean ‘hairy garment.’ See also Hecht.