An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/beten

by Friedrich Kluge

beten, vb., ‘to entreat, pray,’ from the equiv. MidHG. bëten, OHG. bëtôn; comp. Goth. bida, OHG. bëta, ‘request, prayer.’ Formed from the Teut. root bī̆d (Aryan bhidh), discussed under bitten.