This is probably copied from the OED entry
for "brain" ("perh. related to Gr. ..."), but *bragnam is at best a late
syncopated form. Medial *-g(^)Hn- (as well as *-g(^)n-) normally gives PGmc.
geminated *-kk- by Nasal Assimilation (cf. *lig^H-n- > *likk- 'lick'), and
since the same happens to *-kn- only after an unaccented syllable, the
assimilation must be post-Vernerian. This is my reason for positing pre-Gmc.
*mrog^H-ono- > PGmc. *mragana- > *brag(a)na- > OE brægen >
brain.
Piotr
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, October 18, 2002 3:40 PM
Subject: Re: [tied] Re: Gmc. *bru:diz
In Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology:
BRAIN - OE
braegen < *Germ braGnam, related to Greek brekhmos,
bregmos
"forehead"