An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Sucht

by Friedrich Kluge

Sucht, f., ‘sickness, disease,’ from the equiv. MidHG. and OHG. suht, f.; an abstract formation from Goth. siukan, str. vb., ‘to be ill’; see siech (and schwach?). Corresponding to Goth. sauhts, OIc. sótt (E. only sick), Du. zucht (and ziekte). The Germans often instinctively connect Sucht with suchen (hence Sucht nach etwas, ‘rage for something’).