An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A large, usually white bird with a long neck that lives on rivers and lakes (family Anatidae, especially genus Cygnus).

Etymology (EN): M.E., from O.E. swan; cf. O.S. swan, O.N. svanr, M.Du. swane, Du. zwaan, O.H.G. swan, Ger. Schwan, probably literally “the singing bird,” from PIE base *swon-/*swen- “to sing, make sound.”

Etymology (PE): Qu “swan,” maybe an onomatopoetic word from the sound of swan’s call; cf. Russ. ky-ky “cry of a swan.”