loach

loach · noun¹

1. Gaulish · derived from*leuca“loach, slug”
2. Vulgar Latin · derived from*laukka“loach”
3. Old French · derived fromloche
4. Middle English · inherited fromloche
5. English todayloach

From Middle English loche, from Old French loche, further origin uncertain, possibly from Vulgar Latin *laukka (“loach”), which could be from Gaulish *leuca (“loach, slug”), also attested as the feminine name Leuca, from leux (“bright, light”), a reference to slugs' bright appearance, the fish later being associated due to similarities to the slug.

loach · noun²

From the pronunciation of the acronym LOH (“loach”).