An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/passen

by Friedrich Kluge

passen (1.), vb., ‘to forego one's turn in playing,’ ModHG. only, formed from Fr. passer, ‘to omit, pass.’ Numerous words relating to play are derived from the Fr.; comp. Pasch and Daus. — The meaning ‘to lie in wait, watch,’ comes, however, from Du. passen.

passen (2.), vb., ‘to pass muster, suit, be convenient,’ ModHG. only, corresponding to Du. passen, which is found even in the 13th cent.; from Fr. passer. Deriv. päßlich, ‘tolerable.’