Where does “mallette” come from?

mallette (French) comes from French malle, from Middle French malle, from Old French male, from Medieval Latin mala, from Proto-Italic smakslā, from Proto-Indo-European smēk-, from Proto-Indo-European smē- — to rub; smear.

mallette (French): briefcase; schoolbag

Definitions

  1. briefcase; schoolbag

Ancestry of “mallette”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Frenchmallelarge suitcase; trunk
2Middle Frenchmalle—
3Old Frenchmalepack, bag
4Medieval Latinmalacheekbone, jaw; cheek; bundle, bag
5Proto-Italicsmakslā—
6Proto-Indo-Europeansmēk-beard; chin
7Proto-Indo-Europeansmē-to rub; smear
Every word from Proto-Indo-European smē- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European smēk- →Every word from Proto-Italic smakslā →