- hamper (v.)
- c.1350, hampren "to surround, imprison, confine," later "to pack in a container," of unknown origin, possibly from hamper (n.), or somehow connected to M.E. hamelian "to maim." The noun meaning "things important for a ship but in the way at certain times" (1835) is from Fr. hamper "to impede."
- hamper (n.)
- "large basket," 1316, contraction of Anglo-Fr. hanaper (Anglo-L. hanepario), from O.Fr. hanepier "case for holding a large goblet or cup," from hanap "goblet," from Frank. (cf. O.S. hnapp "cup, bowl;" O.H.G. hnapf).