An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/leuchten

by Friedrich Kluge

leuchten, vb., from the equiv. MidHG. and OHG. liuhten, ‘to shine, give light,’ corresponding to Goth. liuhtjan, ‘to shine, give light’; an OTeut. denominative from the adj. liuhta-, ‘light’; leuchten meant lit. ‘to be light, bright.’ Comp. licht.