n. (pl.)
'sparks'
(Modern English )This rare n. is usually related to flake (OED n.2, MED n.1; see further flakes (n.)), and Sw (snö)flanka 'snow' provides a direct comparandum, strengthening the case for an ON etymon. As McGee notes (391), the distribution of the MnE dial word does not preclude the possibility of ON loan.
PGmc Ancestor
?*flank-
Proposed ON Etymon (OIcel representative)
(ONP )
Other Scandinavian Reflexes
Sw (snö)flanka
OE Cognate
Phonological and morphological markers
Summary category
BB1
Only otherwise attested in MED in a1425 PPl.C (Lond-U V.88); MnE dial flank is attested by EDD from the S/SW.
Occurrences in the Gersum Corpus
Cl 954