An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Brunst

by Friedrich Kluge

Brunst, f., from the equiv. MidHG. brunst, f., ‘burning, fire, glow, heat, devastation by fire’ (Brunftzeit, see Brunft); OHG. brunst, Goth. brunsts. In Eng. this deriv. from the root of brennen is wanting (comp. Kunst from kennen); the s before the suffix t is due to the double n of the verb.