An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Durst

by Friedrich Kluge

Durst, m., ‘thirst,’ from the equiv. MidHG. and OHG. durst, m.; comp. MidLG. and Du. dorst, AS. þyrst, E. thirst; Goth. þaurstei, f., ‘thirst.’ The final t of the OHG. and Eng. words is a deriv., as may be inferred from Goth. þaúrseiþ mik, ‘I am thirsty.’ The further comparisons made under Darre, dörren, dürr, amply prove that the short form þors, from pre-Teut. tṛš, signifies ‘to be thirsty’; comp. especially OInd. tṛšṇaj, ‘thirsty,’ tṛšnâ, f., ‘thirst,’ tṛš, str. vb. (3rd pers. sing. tṛšyati, Goth þaurseiþ), ‘to pant, be thirsty'; tṛšú-s, ‘panting.’