Английский Этимологический словарь - leech (2)

- obsolete for "physician," from O.E. lжce, from O.Dan. lжke, from P.Gmc. *lжlijaz common Gmc. for "healer, physician," lit. "one who counsels," perhaps connected with Celt. (cf. Ir. liaig) and/or Slavic (cf. Serbo-Croatian lijekar), both with original senses of "speak, talk, whisper, conjurer." The form and sense merged with leech (1) in M.E. by folk etymology.