An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Witz

by Friedrich Kluge

Witz, masculine, ‘wit, sense, understanding, repartee,’ from Middle High German witze, Old High German wizzî, feminine, ‘knowing, understanding, prudence, wisdom’; an abstract of wissen (corresponding to Anglo-Saxon and English wit). Allied to witzig, adjective, ‘witty, clever, brilliant,’ from Middle High German witzec (g), Old High German wizzîg, ‘intelligent, prudent.’