An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/dreist

by Friedrich Kluge

dreist, adj., ‘bold, audacious, self-confident,’ simply ModHG., from the equiv. LG. drîste (hence dreist is not found in the UpG. dialects); comp. OSax. thrîsti, Du. driest, AS. þrîste, ‘bold, daring.’ The similarity in the initial sound with Lat. tristis, ‘sad,’ is perhaps of no etymological value; as, however, a similar change of meaning is met with in the cognates of ModHG. tapfer, Lat. tristis and OSax. thrîsti may perhaps be derived from a common root. Otherwise it might well be connected with dringen, OSax. thrîsti, for thrîhsti, from þrinh-sti?.