ETYMOLOGY
of uncertain origin;
apparently formed on quink = Old English cwincan (to go out, be extinguished)
EXAMPLE
“…The lycht begouth to quynkill owt and faill,
The day to dyrkyn, decline, and devaill;
The gummys rysis, doun fallis the donk rym,
Baith heyr and thair scuggis and schaddois dym…”
From: Translation of Virgil, Æneid
By Gawin Douglas, 1513
Lexicophilia 