NOECK is the English derivation of the German word Nök or Nöck, which is a type of mythical water sprite, water spirit, or water man. I suppose that the trichome mutation was named this because the trichomes are glassy in appearance (like water), yet the trichomes have more branches than usual, so they are not completely like normal trichomes. I guess they are more like trichome spirits? Anyway, I was told a long time ago by M. Hülskamp, who named the mutant, that it was named after a water sprite. 

David, thank you! How evocative - Love the idea of trichome spirits.