c. 1600, "munitions of war" (especially the great guns on board a man-of-war), also "naval force equipped for war" (1690s), from Latin armamentum "implement," from Latin armare "to arm, furnish with weapons" from arma (see arm (n.2)). Meaning "process of equipping for war" is from 1813.[armament etymology, armament origin, 英语词源]