An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Kämpe

by Friedrich Kluge

Kämpe, m., ‘combatant, wrestler,’ first introduced into literary ModHG. by the study of the Teut. languages, yet the special history of the word is not known. The form Indicates a LG. origin; comp. OLG. kęmpio, ‘combatant, warrior.’ Perhaps it was orig. a legal term of the Saxon Code. See Kampf.