An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Schinken
Schinken, m., ‘ham,’ from MidHG. schinke, m., ‘thigh, ham,’ OHG. scincho, m., scincha, f., ‘tibia, thigh.’ They are related by gradation to the cognates adduced under Schenkel, to which Suab. and Alem. (and Bav.) Schunke, OFris. skunka, meaning ‘bone, thigh, ham,’ are also to be added as further graded forms. Its connection with Schiene is probable on account of the meaning. From the Teut. cognates Ital. (dial.) stinco (schinco), ‘shin-bone,’ is borrowed.