From an early form haebuc, from Proto-Germanic*habukaz, possibly from a Proto-Indo-European*kobuǵo, perhaps ultimately derived from *keh₂p-(“seize”). Cognate with Old Frisian havek (West Frisian hauk), Old Saxon havuk (Low German Haavk), Dutch havik, Old High German habuch, habuh (German Habicht), Old Norse haukr (Swedish hök, Danish høg, Norwegian hauk, Icelandic haukur). The word is related to a Slavic word for a bird of prey (Russian кобец(kobec), Polish kobuz). Compare also Latin capys, capus(“bird of prey”).