late 14c., "act of reciprocal giving and receiving," from Anglo-French eschaunge, Old French eschange (Modern French échange), from Late Latin excambium, from excambiare, from Latin ex- "out" (see ex-) + cambire "barter" (see change, v.). Practice of merchants or lenders meeting to exchange bills of debt led to meaning "building for mercantile business" (1580s).

late 15c., from Old French eschangier "exchange, barter" (Modern French échanger), from Vulgar Latin *excambiare (source of Italian scambiare); see exchange, n.. Related: Exchanged; exchanging.