kemp verb & noun³. [kɛmp] Scot. & north. LME.
[Middle Dutch kempen, kimpen, Low German kämpen, Old High German chemfan, Old Norse keppa, from Germanic.]
A. verb intrans. Fight or contend with; spec. compete or strive (with) in doing a piece of work, esp. in reaping. LME.
b. noun. A contest, esp. between reapers. L18.

■ kemper noun (a) Scot. a person who competes or strives for victory, esp. in reaping; (b) arch. = KEMP noun¹ 1: M17.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲

kemp noun¹. [kɛmp] obsolete exc. dial.
[Old English cempa = Old Frisian kempa, kampa, Old Saxon kempio, Old High German kempfo, from West Germanic.]
1. A big, strong, and brave warrior or fighter; a champion; a pugnacious person. OE.

2. A stalk of the ribwort plantain, Plantago lanceolata, used in a children's game in which the stalks with their flower-heads are struck against each other. Scot. L16.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲

kemp noun². [kɛmp] LME.
[Old Norse kampr beard, moustache, whisker.]
Orig., a coarse or stout hair, as those of the eyebrows. Now, (a) hair of this kind occurring among wool.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲