An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The → cardinal point at which the → meridian cuts the → horizon below the → north celestial pole.

Etymology (EN): M.E., O.E. norð, from P.Gmc. *nurtha- (cf. O.N. norðr, M.Du. nort, Du. noord, Ger. nord), ultimately from PIE *ner- “left, below.”

Etymology (PE): Note: North is related to left since it is to the left when one faces the rising Sun. This occurs in, for example, the etymology of E. north, as above.
The same goes for Ar. shimal, which also means “left.”
Hudar, from hu(y), from Mid.Pers. hôy “left, left hand,” from Av. haoiia- “left” (cf. Skt. savyá- “left hand;” O.C.S. šuji; Rus. šuj; Welsh aswy; PIE *seujos)

• -dar, from -tar direction suffix, as in Mid.Pers. ošastar “east” (Av. ušastara- “easthern”), dôšastar “west” (Av. daôšatara-, daôšastara- “western”), abâxtar “north” (Av. apāxtara- “northern”), Mod.Pers. bâxtar, → west.