Where does “kutu” come from?

kutu (Niuean) comes from Proto-Polynesian kutu, from Proto-Oceanic kutu, from Proto-Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian kutu, from Austronesian *kutu, from Proto-Austronesian *kuCux — louse insect.

kutu (Niuean): louse; flea

Definitions

  1. louse; flea

Ancestry of “kutu”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Proto-Polynesiankutulouse
2Proto-Oceanickutulouse generic
3Proto-Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesiankutu—
4Austronesian*kutu—
5Proto-Austronesian*kuCuxlouse insect
Every word from Proto-Austronesian *kuCux →Every word from Austronesian *kutu →Every word from Proto-Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian kutu →
kutu — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer