PIE *bheid(裂く、裂ける)が語源で、語源的にはbite(噛む)、bitter(苦い)、fissure(裂ける)と同じ。 化膿を指す言葉として使われる。
英語の語源
fester (v.)
late 14c., of wounds, "to become ulcerous, suppurate," from festre (n.) "a fistula" (c. 1300), or from Old French verb festrir "ulcerate, fester," from festre (n.) "small sore discharging pus." The nouns in Old French and Middle English both are from Latin fistula "pipe, ulcer" (see fistula). Related: Festered; festering; festerment.