An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/bohnen

by Friedrich Kluge

bohnen, vb., ‘to wax (a floor), polish,’ first occurs in ModHG. from the equiv. LG. bônen; comp. Du. boenen, ‘to scour,’ AS. bônian, ‘to polish’ (E. dial. to boon, ‘to mend roads’). Allied to these is the MidHG. büenen (orig. HG.), ‘to polish’ (Goth. *bônjan). The Teut. root bôn, from pre-Teut. bhân, ‘to shine, glitter,’ is probably connected with the Gr. root φαν (φαίνω), Sans. bhânu, ‘sheen, light, ray,’ OIr. bán, ‘white.’