An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/retten

by Friedrich Kluge

retten, vb., ‘to rescue, save,’ from MidHG. and OHG. rętten, ‘to snatch from, rescue’; comp. Du. redden, OFris. hredda, AS. hręddan, ‘to snatch from, set free,’ E. to rid; Goth. *hradjan may be assumed. The Teut. root hrad, from pre-Teut. krath, corresponds to the Sans. root çrath, ‘to let go’ (pres. çratháyâmi).