An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/gewinnen
gewinnen, vb., ‘to win, acquire, prevail on, conquer,’ from MidHG. gewinnen, OHG. giwinnan, ‘to attain by work, effort, victory, earn something, conquer, get,’ besides which are found MidHG. winnen, OHG. winnan, ‘to toil hard, contend’; corresponding to Goth. winnan (gawinnan), ‘to suffer, feel pain, torment oneself’ (allied to wunns and winnô, f., ‘suffering,’ OHG. winna, ‘strife, MidHG. winne, ‘pain’), OIc. vinna, ‘to work, perform, win,’ AS. winnan, ‘to contend, exert oneself, E. to win, Du. gewinnen. The primary meaning of the Teut. root winn is ‘to toil hard’ (especially used of toiling in fight). Whether OHG. wini, AS. wine, ‘friend,’ and ModHG. Wenne also belong to the same root is doubtful; yet the primit. allied Sans. root van signifies ‘to procure for oneself, obtain, assist in obtaining, conquer,’ and ‘to be fond of, favourable to.’