Brewer's: Wants

meaning “gloves.” According to the best Dutch authorities, the word is a corruption of the French gant, Italian quanto, our “gauntlets.”

“Wanten are worn by peasants and working people when the weather is cold. They are in shape somewhat like boxing-gloves, having only a thumb and no fingers. They are made of a coarse woollen stuff” —Teding von Berkhout: Letter from Breda.

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