An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Dost

by Friedrich Kluge

Dost, Dosten, masculine, ‘marjoram,’ from Middle High German doste, toste, Old High German tosto, dosto, masculine, ‘wild thyme.’ It may be really identical with Middle High German doste, toste, masculine, ‘bunch, nosegay,’ so that ‘thyme’ would be a specialised meaning. The Gothic word was probably *þusta, ‘shrub.’ Further cognates to help in determining the root are wanting. Compare Tost.