An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The resisting force offered by one body to the relative motion of another body in contact with the first.

Etymology (EN): From L. frictionem “a rubbing, rubbing down,” from fricare “to rub.”

Etymology (PE): Mâleš, verbal noun of mâlidan “to rub,” from, variants
parmâs “contact, touching,” marz “frontier, border, boundary,” Mid.Pers. mâlitan, muštan “to rub, sweep;” Av. marəz- “to rub, wipe,” marəza- “border, district;” PIE base *merg- “boundary, border;” cf. L. margo “edge” (Fr. marge “margin”); P.Gmc. *marko;
Ger. Mark; E. mark, margin.