An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Westen

by Friedrich Kluge

Westen, m., ‘west,’ from the equiv. Mid HG. wësten, OHG. wëstan, n.; also ModHG. West, which is found in OHG. and MidHG. only as the first part of compounds (e.g., OHG. Wästfâlo, MidHG. Wëstvâle, ‘Westphalian’). Comp. Du. west (in compounds), E. west (whence Fr. ouest), OIc. vestr, n. The explanation of the cognates is difficult, espec. on account of the old term Visegothae, ‘Visigoths, West Goths,’ transmitted by Lat. One is inclined to connect the word with Lat. ves-per, Gr. ἑσπέρα, ‘evening,’ and to regard it as the ‘evening quarter’; comp. the corresponding explanations of Süd and Ost (see also Abend).