An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/gerben

by Friedrich Kluge

gerben, verb, ‘to tan, curry, polish,’ from Middle High German gęrwen (garwen), weak verb, ‘to make ready, prepare. equip, dress, tan’; a derivative of gar (see gar); Old High German gariwen (garawen), from *garwjan, ‘to make ready,’ lëdergarawo, ‘tanner.’