As applied to men, Skeat thinks it meant good or worthy at stealing; but the etymology is still unsettled.
Skeat explains this form as fallen with an excrescent d, due to Scandinavian influence, citing also Bk.
Skeat has a note on this word explaining renk as a rank of fighting men, and citing the plur.
Although Skeat connects phaeton with the Solar Charioteer he nevertheless connotes phantom.
Skeat traces it eventually to Sanskrit bhu, to be, build meaning "to construct a place in which to be or dwell."
