In Old English, the word “man” simply refereed to the human race regardless of gender.  The word wer meant adult male, as seen today in “werewolf.”  Wif was the word for an adult female.  The word “woman” derives from wifman, which just meant “female human.”  Also I’d like to mention that the word “female” is unrelated to the word “male,” which comes from the Latin masculus.  The word “female” comes from the Latin femella.  In the 14 century, the English spelling was altered so it paralleled the spelling of “male.” 

I am so sorry for all of the quotation marks and italics.  I have confused myself to the point where I didn’t learn anything.  I only got dumber today.