An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Kuh

by Friedrich Kluge

Kuh, f., ‘cow,’ from the equiv. MidHG. and OHG. kuo, f.; comp. MidLG. kô, Du. koe, E. cow, AS. cû, OIc. kýr, f. (Goth. *kôs); Teut. type kô-, f., ‘cow.’ This word, like the names of other domestic animals, is found in the non-Teut. languages, and in the form of gō̆w (gô) it is common to the Aryan group; comp. Ind. gâus (acc. gâm), f., Gr. βούς (stem βοϝ), Lat. bos (stem bov-). These terms are both mas. and fem., hence Sans. gâus, m., ‘bull, cattle,’ f., ‘cow’; Gr. βούς, ‘cattle, ox, cow’; Lat. bos, ‘ox, cow’; Lett. gůws, ‘cow.’ This term, like other primit. Aryan words (comp. Pferd, Schaf, Hund, Ochse, &c.), proves that the Aryans, before the division into the later tribes, were already acquainted with domestic animals.