An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Sucht

by Friedrich Kluge

Sucht, feminine, ‘sickness, disease,’ from the equivalent Middle High German and Old High German suht, feminine; an abstract formation from Gothic siukan, strong verb, ‘to be ill’; see siech (and schwach?). Corresponding to Gothic sauhts, Old Icelandic sótt (English only sick), Dutch zucht (and ziekte). The Germans often instinctively connect Sucht with suchen (hence Sucht nach etwas, ‘rage for something’).