An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Daus

by Friedrich Kluge

Daus, neuter, ‘deuce (of dice), ace (of cards),’ from Middle High German dûs, tûs, with the same meanings; late Old High German dûs. From a Romance word originating in the Latin duo; Old French dous (Modern French deux, Provençal duas, from Latin *duos for duo), whence English deuce. Dice-playiug was a favourite amusement even among the Teutons described by Tacitus (Germ. 24); unfortunately, however, we can gather nothing from his brief remarks as to the details and technical terms (but see gefallen, Hund, Sau) of the Old Teutonic game; this words died out at an early period, and with the new games from the South new Romance words have been introduced. See Aß, Treff, doppeln.