Words related to damp
"saturated with cold moisture," c. 1400, earlier as a verb (early 14c.), now obsolete, meaning "to moisten," used of mists, dews, etc. Perhaps from Scandinavian (compare Swedish dank "moist place," dänka "to moisten") or German (compare Middle High German damph, Dutch damp "vapor"). Now largely superseded by damp (adj.). As a noun, "cold moisture," c. 1400. Related: Dankly; dankness.
"one who or that which dampens," 1748, in the figurative sense, in reference to spirits, enthusiasm, etc., agent noun from damp (v.). In mechanical senses, "device for checking action:" 1783 in reference to a felt-covered piece of wood, etc., which deadens the string after the note is played; 1788 of a chimney, stove, etc., "metal plate in the flue used to control combustion by regulating the draft." Either or both reinforced the figurative senses. The piano damper-pedal (1848) raises the dampers of all the strings so the notes are prolonged and sympathetic vibrations produced.
"low spirits; dull, gloomy state of mind," 1520s, plural of dumpe "a fit of musing," of uncertain origin, possibly from Dutch domp "haze, mist," from Middle Dutch damp "vapor" (see damp (n.)). Compare vapors under vapor.
The application of this term to an affection of the mind is a part of the medical theory which attributed all disorders of the frame to a humour falling on the part affected, and regarded mental disorders especially as produced by a vapour rising from the stomach into the brain. [Hensleigh Wedgwood, "A Dictionary of English Etymology," 1859]