An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Gewehr

by Friedrich Kluge

Gewehr, neuter, ‘weapon of defence, gun, musket,’ from Middle High German gewęr, feminine neuter, ‘guard, defence, bulwark, weapon; even in Old High German giwęr, neuter, ‘weapon, goad,’ węri, ‘rampart, means of defence.’ Allied to wehren.