An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Freude

by Friedrich Kluge

Freude, f., ‘joy, pleasure, delight,’ from the equiv. MidHG. vröude, vreude, OHG. fręwida, f.; akin to freuen, MidHG. vröuwen, OHG. frouwen; see froh. For the suffix see Gemeinde, Begierde, Zierde, Beschwerde.