Etymology: Probably < Middle Dutch vonke, vunke spark, tinder, touchwood (Dutch vonk), cognate with West Frisian fonk, Middle Low German vunke ( > Danish funke), Old High German funko (Middle High German vunke, German Funke (also Funken)), all in sense ‘spark’, and further with Middle Dutch vonken to smoulder, to sparkle, Middle Low German vunken, Middle High German vunken to sparkle, shimmer, entvunken to ignite; further etymology uncertain and disputed.Further etymology of the Germanic word. It has been suggested that this word derives < a suffixed form of the Indo-European base of fire n. (compare Old Icelandic funi flame, Gothic fon fire and see discussion at fire n. and int.). For an alternative view, tracing this noun and the synonymous Middle High German vinc and vanke back to various ablaut grades of a Germanic verbal base, compare G. Kroonen Proto-Germanic N-stems: Study in Diachronic Morphophonol. (2011) 159–61. Relationships within English. Perhaps compare spunk n. and punk n.³, both attested later in similar senses, although the relationship between these and the present word is unclear.

Etymology: Origin uncertain; perhaps of expressive origin (with the final consonant cluster perhaps compare stink n.). Compare later funk v.¹, funky adj.¹In sense 3 in music after funky adj.¹ 2.

Etymology: Either (i) a specific sense development of funk n.², or (ii) < funk v.¹ (although the verb is first attested slightly later).

Etymology: Origin uncertain. Perhaps (i) < Dutch fonk, †fonck (1588 in the combination in de fonck in turmoil, in difficulties, in dire straits; of unknown origin), or perhaps (ii) < funk v.³ (although this is first attested slightly later). Compare also discussion of funk n.⁵ 2 in the etymological note at that entry.

Etymology: < funk v.²With sense 2 compare funk n.⁴, apparently originally of distinct origin; with senses relating to both bad temper (compare sense 2) and fear (funk n.⁴) compare blue funk n. at blue adj. and n. Compounds 1d.

Etymology: Short for Peter Funk n.

Etymology: Origin uncertain. Perhaps partly (i) < funk n.² (compare in early use with reference to tobacco smoke quot. 1606 at funk n.² 1a), and partly (ii) < funk n.³With sense 1 perhaps compare also French regional (Belgium) funquier , funquer to emit smoke (13th cent. in Old French as fungier , funchier ; compare Middle French enfunquier , enfunkuier to expose to smoke, Middle French regional (Picardy) funquierre (noun) smoke (15th cent.)) < post-classical Latin classical Latin fūmigāre fumigate v.

Etymology: Apparently imitative of the sound of a blow. Compare e.g. bung v.², thunk v.², etc.

Etymology: Origin unknown. Compare funk n.⁴ and discussion at that entry, and perhaps compare also later flunk v.

Etymology: Probably < funk n.² Compare earlier funk v.¹