An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Schminke

by Friedrich Kluge

Schminke, f., ‘paint (for the face), rouge,’ from the equiv. MidHG. sminke, smicke, f., allied to OHG. smëcchar, smëhhar, adj. ‘fine, pretty,’ AS. smicere, ‘fine, pretty.’ These are connected with schmeicheln (root smaikw?). Comp. Dan. smigre, Swed. smickra, ‘to flatter,’ E. to smicker, ‘to ogle.’