Middle English; earliest use found in Ayenbite of Inwyt. Partly from Anglo-Norman chambrer, chambreer and Middle French chamberier, chambrier (French chambrier) personal servant, attendant, valet, chamberlain (second half of the 13th cent.; from chambre + -ier, after post-classical Latin camerarius chamberlain, valet from classical Latin camera + -ārius), partly from Anglo-Norman chamberere, chambrere, chaunbrere, chomberere, chamberer, chambrer, chambrier, chaumberer, Anglo-Norman and Middle French chamberiere, chambriere (French chambrière) chambermaid, lady-in-waiting, female attendant, in Anglo-Norman also ‘procuress, bawd’, feminine form corresponding to chambrier, etc., and partly from chamber + -er.