Middle English word gast comes from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰyis-, Proto-Germanic *gaistijaną, and later Old English gæstan (To frighten; gast. To torment; afflict.)
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| *ǵʰyis- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | bewildered, frightened |
| *gaistijaną | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | |
| *ǵʰisd- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | anger, agitation |
| gǣstan | Old English (ang) | |
| gæstan | Old English (ang) | To frighten; gast. To torment; afflict. |
| *gaistaz | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | Mind. Spirit, ghost. Terror, fear. |
| gāst | Old English (ang) | |
| gast | Old English (ang) | A soul, spirit, breath. |
| gāstan | Old English (ang) | |
| gasten | Middle English (enm) | |
| gast | Middle English (enm) |