An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/vermessen

by Friedrich Kluge

vermessen, adjective, ‘daring, presumptuous,’ from Middle High German vermëȥȥen, Old High German firmëȥȥan, ‘daring, bold’; a participle of Middle High German veṛmëȥȥąn, Old High German firmëȥȥan, reflexive ‘to estimate one's strength too high, have an overweening opinion of oneself.’ —