An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Gewehr

by Friedrich Kluge

Gewehr, n., ‘weapon of defence, gun, musket,’ from MidHG. gewęr, f. n., ‘guard, defence, bulwark, weapon; even in OHG. giwęr, n., ‘weapon, goad,’ węri, ‘rampart, means of defence.’ Allied to wehren.