† eskebachn.

Etymology: Probably < early Scandinavian (compare Old Danish askebager (Danish askebager ) person who rummages in the ashes, also used contemptuously of an idle, incompetent, or ineffectual person) < the Scandinavian base of Old Icelandic aska ash, cinder (see ash n.²) + a second element of uncertain identity and origin; perhaps related to Old Icelandic bágr difficult, troublesome, poor or bagr awkward, clumsy, clownish (see bauch adj.). Compare askefise n. and words from Scandinavian languages cited at that entry. Compare later askebathe n.