An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Schrank

by Friedrich Kluge

Schrank, m., ‘cupboard, chest, press,’ from MidHG. schranc (k), m., ‘that which shuts off, railing, enclosure, barrier, enclosing, space shut off, cupboard.’ From the meaning ‘enclosure, space shut off,’ which still appears in the fem. form Schranke, the early ModHG. signification ‘cupboard’ was developed. The corresponding OHG. scranch, m., ‘deception, deceit,’ points to the vb. schränken, root skrank, ‘oblique.’ The subst. does not occur elsewhere; in Francon., Hess., and LG. Schank is used; in Swiss chašte or šăfrâti, Alsat. špint. See the following words.