thewww:

O.E. norð, from P.Gmc. *nurtha- (cf. O.N. norðr, O.Fris. north, M.Du. nort, Du. noord, Ger. nord), possibly ult. from PIE *ner- ”left,” also “below,” as north is to the left when one faces the rising sun (cf. Skt. narakah ”hell,” Gk. enerthen ”from beneath,” Oscan-Umbrian nertrak ”left”).