An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Amboss
Amboss, masculine ‘anvil,’ from Middle High German anebôȥ, Old High German anabôȥ, masculine, ‘anvil'; a specifically German word allied to Old High German bôȥân, Middle High German bôȥen, ‘to beat, strike.’ Compare Anglo-Saxon beátan, English to beat (see Beifuß, Beutel, bosseln). Whether Old High German ana-bôȥ is formed by the imitation of Latin incus (allied to cudere) is uncertain, for the smith's art was early developed among the Teutons without any Southern influence. The corresponding terms Anglo-Saxon anfilt, English anvil (also Old High German ana-falz), Dutch aanbeeld, Middle Low German anebelte, Danish ambolt, are similarly formed.