An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/zögern

by Friedrich Kluge

zögern, vb., ‘to linger, loiter, defer,’ ModHG. only, a derivative of MidHG. zogen, OHG. zogôn, ‘to tug, draw, go, defer, retard.’ An intensive form of ziehen; comp. OIc. toga, E. to tug. For the development of meaning comp. further ModHG. dial. zögern, ‘to wander aimlessly.’