Desist

google

ref

late Middle English: from Old French desister, from Latin desistere, from de- ‘down from’ + sistere ‘to stop’ (reduplication of stare ‘to stand’).

wiktionary

ref

From Middle French desister.

etymonline

ref

desist (v.)

mid-15c., "refrain;" 1520s, "to stop, cease from some action or proceeding," from Latin desistere "to stand aside, leave off, cease," from de "off" (see de-) + sistere "stop, come to a stand," from PIE *si-st-, reduplicated form of root *sta- "to stand, make or be firm." Related: Desisted; desisting.