An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Kieme

by Friedrich Kluge

Kieme, f., ‘gill (of a fish),’ ModHG. simply, from the equiv. LG. kîm; allied to OHG. chiela, chêla, as well as AS. cîan, ceón, with the same meaning. Since the forms corresponding exactly in sound with Kieme are wanting in the earlier periods, its origin is uncertain; some have connected it with kauen, root kiw (Aryan giw).