An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Gier

by Friedrich Kluge

Gier, feminine, ‘eagerness, inordinate desire,’ from Middle High German gir (gër), feminine, ‘longing, craving, greediness,’ Old High German girî, feminine; abstract of an adjective, Old High German gër and giri, Middle High German gër, gir, ‘craving, longing,’ which is connected with the root ger (Aryan gher), discussed under gern. Another abstract form allied to this is Modern High German Gierde (-Begierde), from Middle High German girde, Old High German girida, feminine (Dutch begeerte). For the older adjective Middle High German gir, gër, only gierig is now used, from Middle High German girec, Old High German girîg, ‘desirous.’