An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Panzer

by Friedrich Kluge

Panzer, m., from the equiv. MidHG. panzer, panzier, m., ‘coat of mail,’ from Ital. panciera, MidLat. pancerea, ‘coat of mail,’ which is connected with Ital. pancia, ‘belly, body’ (Fr. panse, whence also MidHG. and ModHG. dial. Panse, ‘belly’), and signifies lit. ‘the part of the armour covering the abdomen.’