An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/geschehen

by Friedrich Kluge

geschehen, vb., ‘to happen, occur, befall,’ from the equiv. MidHG. geschëhen, OHG. giscëhan; a specifically G. word (MidDu. geschien, Du. geschieden), as well as the corresponding factitive schicken. It is uncertain whether the word is connected with Goth. skêwjan, ‘to go,’ and the Teut. root skeh (*kē̆hw, skē̆w), from skek, or OSlov. skokŭ, ‘leap,’ and OIr. *scuchim, ‘I go or pass away.’ See Geschichte and schicken.’