Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
GAM
I. noun
Etymology: probably ultimately from Lingua Franca gamba leg, from Italian, from Late Latin
Date: circa 1785
leg ,
II. noun
Etymology: perhaps short for obsolete gammon talk
Date: 1846
a visit or friendly conversation at sea or ashore especially between whalers, a school of whales,
III. verb (gammed; gamming)
Date: 1849
intransitive verb to engage in a gam, transitive verb to have a gam with, to spend or pass (as time) talking