Where does “kutu” come from?

kutu (Malay) comes from Proto-Malayic kutu, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian kutu, from Proto-Austronesian *kuCux — louse insect.

kutu (Malay): louse; partner, ally

Definitions

  1. louse; partner, ally

Ancestry of “kutu”, step by step

kutu traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Proto-Malayic kutu

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Proto-Malayickutulouse
2Proto-Malayo-Polynesiankutulouse
3Proto-Austronesian*kuCuxlouse insect

via Tamil கூட்டு

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Tamilகூட்டுcompanionship, fellowship, friendship
2Tamilகூடுnest, birdcage, coop, hive
3Proto-Dravidiankūṭunest, receptacle

Words derived from “kutu”

Every word from Proto-Austronesian *kuCux →Every word from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian kutu →Every word from Proto-Malayic kutu →