An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Kumpan

by Friedrich Kluge

Kumpan, masculine, ‘companion, mate,’ from Middle High German kumpân, kompân, masculine, ‘comrade, associate’; the latter is derived from Old French Provençal compaing, ‘companion, partner.’ Middle Latin companio, literally ‘one who shares the same food,’ is based on Old Teutonic expressions such as Gothic gahlaiba, Old High German gileibo, masculine, ‘associate, comrade,’ and the equivalent Old High German gimaȥȥo, from maȥ, neuter, ‘food’; see Laib.