lich etymology

Middle English word lich comes from Proto-Indo-European *leig-, Proto-Indo-European *leiĝ-, and later Proto-Germanic *līką (Body. Corpse, dead body.)

Detailed word origin of lich

Dictionary entry	Language	Definition
*leig-	Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro)	to bounce, shake, tremble, jump, whirl
*leiĝ-	Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro)
*līką	Proto-Germanic (gem-pro)	Body. Corpse, dead body.
līċ	Old English (ang)
lich	Middle English (enm)	A body.

Descendants of *leig-: -lac -lich accidently certeinly clanly cumly edlesienlīch faderlich falsly godliche houndli kyndeliche leiken leyken lichame louerdlich lyfly lyken pleynly scheomelich selfly wedlak wedlok wunderlice wurthlich
Descendants of *leiĝ-: drobli droflic eroþliche freelich frely gastliche habundauntly inly lik likame liken lyche poverly sonderli sunneliche trewely verraily waterly