An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Wams

by Friedrich Kluge

Wams, m., ‘doublet, jerkin, waistcoat,’ from MidHG. wambeîs, wambes, n., ‘doublet, garment worn under the coat of mail’; a Romance loan-word; comp. OFr. gambais. MidLat. wambasium is itself a derivative of OHG. and Goth. wamba, ‘body.’