An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/rühren

by Friedrich Kluge

rühren, vb., ‘to stir, move (the feelings); touch,’ from MidHG. ruërn, OHG. ruorern, ‘to put in motion, incite, stir up, bestir oneself, mix, touch’; comp. OSax. hrôrian, ‘to move, stir, Du. roeren, AS. hrêran (to which AS. hrêremûs, E. reremouse, is allied), OIc. hrœ́ra. We have probably to assume Goth. *hrôzjan, to which hrisjan, ‘to shake,’ and OIc. hress, ‘quick,’ are perhaps allied. See Ruhr. The Teut. root hrôs (Aryan krâs) has no cognate terms in the other groups.