An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Kümmel

by Friedrich Kluge

Kümmel, m., ‘cummin, caraway seeds,’ from the equiv. MidHG. kümel, OHG. chumil, m., with the variants MidHG. kümin, OHG. chumī̆n; comp. AS. cymen, Du. komijn, MidLG. kömen; from Lat. and Rom. cŭmînum. The change of n into l is the same as in Igel (in UpG. still kümi, kümich). With regard to the period of the adoption of Lat. words relating to horticulture and the art of cookery, comp. Käse, Küche, Minze, Pfeffer, &c.