bezichtigen

16th century, enhanced form of bezichten (15th c.), denominal from now obsolete Bezicht (“accusation”), from Middle High German beziht, itself deverbal from Old High German bezīhan. Modern German bezeihen was gradually displaced, but is still attested until the early 20th century. The form with -ig- appears to be of northern origin; compare earlier Middle Low German betichtigen (14th c.), Middle Dutch betichtigen (early 15th c., though now only betichten). It follows the adjective in Middle Low