Mid 16th century; earliest use found in Acts of Parliament. Probably from Handwarp (also Handwerp), 16th-cent. English and Older Scots variant of the name of Antwerp, through the port of which city the fabric was chiefly imported to continental Europe.
Definition of handwarp in US English:
handwarp
nounˈhandwɔːp
rare, historical
= handywarp.
Origin
Mid 16th century; earliest use found in Acts of Parliament. Probably from Handwarp (also Handwerp), 16th-cent. English and Older Scots variant of the name of Antwerp, through the port of which city the fabric was chiefly imported to continental Europe.