Origin and history of ware

"manufactured goods, merchandise offered for sale," late Old English waru "article of merchandise," also "protection, guard," hence probably originally "object of care, that which is kept in custody," from Proto-Germanic *waro (source also of Swedish vara, Danish vare, Old Frisian were, Middle Dutch were, Dutch waar, Middle High German, German ware "goods"), from PIE root *wer- (3) "perceive, watch out for."

A collective noun used generally in composition with the name of the material, or a term relating to the characters of the articles or the use to which they are put, as: chinaware, tinware, hardware, tableware. [Century Dictionary]

Usually wares, except in such compounds. Wild-ware (late 14c.) was furs, pelts, and skins of wild animals as a commodity. Lady ware was a jocular 17c. euphemism for "a woman's private parts" (but sometimes also "male sex organs"), and Middle English had ape-ware "deceptive or false ware; tricks" (mid-13c.).

"take heed of, beware," Middle English waren, from Old English warian "guard against, beware; protect, defend," from Proto-Germanic *warō (source also of Old Frisian waria, Old Norse vara), from PIE *waro- "to guard, watch," suffixed form of root *wer- (3) "perceive, watch out for."

"cognizant, informed; prepared, on guard; cunning, skilled," Middle English ware, from Old English wær "prudent, aware, alert, wary," from Proto-Germanic *waraz (from PIE root *wer- (3) "perceive, watch out for"). Compare ware (v.), also beware.