An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/necken

by Friedrich Kluge

necken, verb, ‘to tease, banter,’ from Middle High German (Middle German) nęcken, ‘to excite the appetite,’ to which is allied Middle High German (Middle German) nachaft, ‘malicious, crafty,’ nac-heit, ‘malice, cunning’; not found in Old High German. Of obscure origin. See Schabernack.