An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/zergen

by Friedrich Kluge

zergen, vb., ‘to torment, tease, vex’; ModHG. only. It may be identical with MidHG. zęrn (and zęrgen), OHG. zęrian (see zehren); yet Du. tergen, AS. tęrgan, ‘to tug, tease, worry’ (E. to tarry), point to a Goth. *targian, which with Russ. dergati, ‘to tear, tug,’ indicate an Aryan root dṛgh (comp. träge).