vamp (1) — ODE

vamp1 /vamp

▸ noun

1 (in jazz and popular music) a short, simple introductory passage, usually repeated several times until otherwise instructed:

the title track has an overlong vamp.

2 the upper front part of a boot or shoe:

heavy lace-ups with basket weave in the vamp.

▸ verb

1 (vamp something up) [with object] informal repair or improve something:

the production values have been vamped up.

2 [no object] repeat a short, simple passage of music:

the band was vamping gently behind his busy lead guitar.

3 [with object] attach a new upper to (a boot or shoe).

– ORIGIN Middle English (denoting the foot of a stocking): shortening of Old French avantpie, from avant ‘before’ + pie ‘foot’. The musical sense of the verb developed from the general sense ‘improvise’.