U.S. Also waumus, wammus. [a. Du. wammes, contracted f. wambuis, a. OF. wambois, -eis: see WAMBAIS, GAMBESON. Cf. G. wams, wamms, woollen jacket (MHG. wambes, -eis, jacket worn under the armor).] In southern and western U.S., a warm knitted jacket resembling a cardigan.
1805. in Thornton, Amer. Gloss., 934. I got up, and found that my waumus was bloody.
1854. H. H. Riley, Puddleford, 14 (Thornton.). He was attired with a red flannel ‘wamus.’
1887. Philadelphia Telegraph, 6 July, 6/6. His attire was characterized by a long linsey ‘wamus.’
1888. E. Eggleston, Graysons, xxviii. 309. This [wagon-spoke] he put into the baggy part of his ‘wamus,’ or hunting-jacket.
