n. & v.
n. 1 the upper front part of a boot or shoe. 2 a patched-up article. 3 an improvised musical accompaniment.
v. 1 tr. (often foll. by up) repair or furbish. 2 tr. (foll. by up) make by patching or from odds and ends. 3 a tr. & intr. improvise a musical accompaniment (to). b tr. improvise (a musical accompaniment). 4 tr. put a new vamp to (a boot or shoe).
[ ME f. OF avantpié f. avant before (see AVAUNT) + pied foot ]