An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Schleie

by Friedrich Kluge

Schleie, f., ‘tench,’ from the equiv. MidHG. slîe, OHG. slîo, m.; corresponding to AS. slîw, m., ‘tench’; Goth. *sleiws, m., or rather *sleiwa, m., is wanting. Perhaps the fish was so named from its slimy scales, so that Schleim may be allied.