An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Hunger

by Friedrich Kluge

Hunger, m., ‘hunger, famine,’ from the equiv. MidHG. hunger, OHG. hungar, m.; comp. OSax. hungar, AS. hungor, m., E. hunger, OIc. hungr, m.; Goth. *huggrus is wanting (it is indicated by huggrjan, ‘to hunger’), but the term hûhrus (for huñhrus, hunhrus), m., occurs; common Teut. hunhru-, hungru-, ‘hunger,’ from pre-Teut. knkru-?. The Gr. gloss, κέγκεϊ πεινᾷ, points to an Aryan root, kenk, konk; comp. also Lith. kankà, ‘torment,’ with OIc. há, vb., ‘to torment, pain’ (from Teut. *hanhón).