An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Nüster

by Friedrich Kluge

Nüster, f., ‘nostril,’ ModHG. only, from LG. nuster, E. nostril, is demonstrably a compound, signifying lit. ‘nose-hole’ (comp. AS. nœs-þŷrel, nos-þyrl), We cannot so positively assume that the G. word is also a compound, for the l of the E. word is wanting. Hence some etymologists regard it as an r- derivative from nos- (a graded form of Nase, comp. earlier ModHG. nuseln, in Logau, ‘to snivel’), with a t inserted, and connect it with Lith. nasraì, ‘mouth, jaw,’ and OSlov. nozdri, ‘nostrils.’ Niesen is not allied; comp. Nase.