Where does “জহামাল” come from?

জহামাল (Assamese) comes from Bengali মল, from Sanskrit मल, from Proto-Indo-European melh₂-, from Proto-Indo-European mel-, from Proto-Indo-European mey- — to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange.

জহামাল (Assamese): large Indian civet (Viverra zibetha)

Definitions

  1. large Indian civet (Viverra zibetha)

Ancestry of “জহামাল”, step by step

জহামাল traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Bengali মল

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Bengaliমলfeces
2Sanskritमलdirty; niggardly?; unbelieving, godless
3Proto-Indo-Europeanmelh₂-to grind, to crush
4Proto-Indo-Europeanmel-soft; tender; weak; to deceive; to rub
5Proto-Indo-Europeanmey-to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange

via Assamese জহা

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1AssameseজহাJoha rice, a fragrant variety of rice used in Assamese cuisine
Every word from Proto-Indo-European mey-Every word from Proto-Indo-European mel-Every word from Proto-Indo-European melh₂-