Wither
late Middle English: apparently a variant of weather, ultimately differentiated for certain senses.
wiktionary
From Middle English widren, wydderen(“to dry up, shrivel”), related to or perhaps an alteration of Middle English wederen(“to expose to weather”), from Old English wederian(“to expose to weather, exhibit a change of weather”).
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)
From Middle English wither, from Old English wiþer(“again, against”, adverb in compounds), from Proto-West Germanic *wiþr(“against, toward”).
From Middle English witheren, from Old English wiþerian(“to resist, oppose, struggle against”).
etymonline
wither (v.)
1530s, alteration of Middle English wydderen "dry up, shrivel" (late 14c.), intransitive, apparently a differentiated and special use of wederen "to expose to weather" (see weather (v.)). Compare German verwittern "to become weather-beaten," from Witter "weather." Transitive sense from 1550s. Related: Withered; withering; witheringly.
