An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Zinken

by Friedrich Kluge

Zinken, m., ‘spike, prong,’ from the equiv. MidHG. zinke, OHG. zinko, m. How the equiv. MidHG. zint, OIc. tindr, and ModHG. Zacke are connected with this word is not clear. Late MidHG. zinke (and zint), as a designation of a wind instrument (cornet), has been preserved in ModHG.