An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. A curved or bent piece of metal or other hard material for catching, holding, or hanging something.
   

2. Something curved or bent like a hook.

Etymology (EN): M.E. hoke, O.E. hoc “hook, angle;” cf. M.Du. hoek, Du. haak, Ger. Haken “hook.”

Etymology (PE): Qollab “a hook, a hooked device,” probably ultimately from Proto-Ir. gart- “to turn;” cf. Pers. gard-, gardidan, gaštan “to turn, to wind;” cognate with dialectal qellidan “to roll.”