The story
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Today it means: Wrapped or wound tightly with a second length of yarn or wire in a tight spiral, often by means of a gimping machine, leaving the core yarn straight and protected (gimped yarn). Also, generally, wrapped or twisted with string or wire (gimped buttons). Full definition →
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.