The etymological connection between the Dutch word 'Vriend(en)', the German word 'Freund(en)', the English word 'Friend(s)', and the Sanskrit word 'Vṛnda' (वृन्द) is rather remarkable. Both the Dutch, German, English, and Sanskrit terms exhibit clear linguistic cognates. I posit that the Dutch 'Vriend', the German 'Freund' and English 'Friend' demonstrate historical linguistic continuity which can be traced back to the Sanskrit 'Vṛnda,' which, phonologically and semantically, shares commonalities. The Sanskrit term, denoted as 'वृन्द', encapsulates meanings such as an assemblage, a group, multitude or quantity of one, et al.
~ Wald Wassermann