An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Westen

by Friedrich Kluge

Westen, masculine, ‘west,’ from the equivalent. Mid High German wësten, Old High German wëstan, neuter; also Modern High German West, which is found in Old High German and Middle High German only as the first part of compounds (e.g., Old High German Wästfâlo, Middle High German Wëstvâle, ‘Westphalian’). Compare Dutch west (in compounds), English west (whence French ouest), Old Icelandic vestr, neuter. The explanation of the cognates is difficult, especially on account of the old term Visegothae, ‘Visigoths, West Goths,’ transmitted by Latin. One is inclined to connect the word with Latin ves-per, Greek ἑσπέρα, ‘evening,’ and to regard it as the ‘evening quarter’; compare the corresponding explanations of Süd and Ost (see also Abend).