An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Lust

by Friedrich Kluge

Lust, f., ‘pleasure, delight, fancy, lust,’ from the equiv. MidHG. lust, m. and f., OHG. lust, f.; corresponding to Goth. lustus, OIc. lyst, AS. lyst, lust, E. list, lust, Du. and OSax. lust; a common Teut. abstract, the origin of which is still dubious. Its relation to lieben (Teut. root lub, ‘to desire’), as well as to the root lus (see verlieren) is improbable; it is rather connected with a root has, ‘to desire,’ to which is allied Gr. λιλαζομαι, Sans. root laš (for lals), ‘to desire,’ and also with the Sans. root lod, lud, ‘to move.’