late 13c., "circumstance that causes anxiety or hardship," from Old French destresse, from Vulgar Latin *districtia "restraint, affliction, narrowness, distress," from Latin districtus, past participle of distringere "draw apart, hinder," also, in Medieval Latin "compel, coerce," from dis- "apart" (see dis-) + stringere "draw tight, press together" (see strain, v.). Meaning "anguish, suffering; grief" is from c.1300.

late 14c., from Old French destresser, from Vulgar Latin *districtiare (see distress, n.). Related: Distressed; distressing.