An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Leisten

by Friedrich Kluge

Leisten, Leiste, m., from the equiv. MidHG. leist, m., ‘last’; OHG. leist (n.?), ‘forma.’ Corresponding to AS. lâst, lœ̂st, m., ‘footprint, track, forma,’ E. last, Goth. laists, m., ‘track, goal,’ with the facts mentioned under leisten, indicate that ‘footprint’ is the orig. meaning of the HG. and E. words; this is probably an important fact in the history of the word. It is true that OIc. leistr, m., signifies ‘foot,’ and ‘short stocking, sock.’