lust

{{11}}lust (n.) O.E. lust "desire, appetite, pleasure," from P.Gmc. *lustuz (Cf. O.S., O.Fris., Du., Ger. lust, O.N. lyst, Goth. lustus "pleasure, desire, lust"), from PIE *las- "to be eager, wanton, or unruly" (Cf. L. lascivus "wanton, playful, lustful;" see LASCIVIOUS (Cf. lascivious)). In M.E., "any source of pleasure or delight," also "an appetite," also "a liking for a person," also "fertility" (of soil). Sense of "sinful sexual desire, degrading animal passion" (now the main meaning) developed in late O.E. from the word's use in Bible translations (e.g. lusts of the flesh to render L. concupiscentia carnis [I John ii:16]); the cognate words in other Germanic languages tend still to mean simply "pleasure."

{{12}}lust (v.) c.1200, "to wish, to desire," from LUST (Cf. lust) (n.) and O.E. lystan (see LIST (Cf. list) (v.⁴)). Sense of "to have a strong sexual desire (for or after)" is first attested 1520s in biblical use. Related: Lusted; lusting.