O.E.
sweart "black," from P.Gmc.
*swartaz (cf. O.Fris., M.Du.
swart, O.N.
svartr, Ger.
schwarz, Goth.
swarts "dark-colored, black"), from PIE base
*swordo- "dirty, dark, black" (source of
sordid). The true Gmc. word for "black," surviving in the Continental languages.
[swawrt] 
ərts