An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Hamen

by Friedrich Kluge

Hamen, m., ‘tunnel-net,’ from MidHG. and MidLG. hame; akin probably to the equiv. OSwed. haver, ModSwed. håf, m., OHG. hamo, m., ‘tunnel-net.’ The latter word is considered identical with OHG. *hamo (in lîhhamo, ‘body,’ OSax. gûðhamo, feðarhamo; comp. Leichnam, Hemd, and hämisch), orig. ‘covering, dress.’ From the meaning ‘Tuch,’ in the restricted sense in which it is used by fishermen and huntsmen (i.e. ‘toils’), the signification ‘net’ might of course be developed; but that is not certain. OHG. hamo, MidHG. ham, hame, m., ‘fishing-rod, fishing-hook,’ and the modern dial. Hamen, are not allied to the words mentioned above; they seem to be cognate with Lat. hâmus, ‘fishing-hook, hook’; the h might be explained as in haben.