An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/drängen

by Friedrich Kluge

drängen, vb., ‘to press, pinch, dun,’ from MidHG. dręngen, factitive of dringen. Drangsal is early ModHG.; -sal is the frequent. ModHG., suffix, the older form of which is as isal, Goth. isl, AS. and E. -ls. Goth. formed from the same stem, but by a different gradation, an abstract þreihsl, ‘hardship, oppression.’