An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Lump

by Friedrich Kluge

Lump, masculine, ‘scamp, ragamuffin,’ Modern High German only; properly identical with Lumpen, masculine, ‘rag, tatter,’ which in late Middle High German appears as lumpe with the same sense. It was probably introduced from Low German; compare Dutch lomp, ‘rag, tatter, patch,’ lomperd, ‘lout’ (to this Old Icelandic leppr, ‘shield,’ is allied?); compare Lappen and Lasse. — lumpen, verb, literally ‘to treat or regard as a ragamuffin.’