An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Wucher

by Friedrich Kluge

Wucher, m., ‘usury, interest,’ from MidHG. wuocher, OHG. wuohhar, m. and n., ‘produce, fruit, gain, profit’; corresponding to Goth. wôkrs, ‘usury.’ The OHG. and MidHG. sense ‘descendants’ points to a Teut. root wak, ‘to arise, bear,’ which is identical with the Aryan root wō̆g, ‘to be astir, successful, energetic’ (see wecken); comp. Sans. vãja, m., ‘power, strength, nourishment, prosperity,’ and AS. onwœcnan, ‘to be born.’ In meaning the Aryan root aug, ‘to increase,’ cognate with Aryan wog, is more closely connected; comp. Lat. augere, Goth. aukan (Lith. augti, ‘to grow’).