Where does “kawi” come from?

kawi (Old Javanese) comes from Sanskrit कवि, from Proto-Indo-Aryan kawHíṣ, from Proto-Indo-Iranian káwHiš, from Proto-Indo-European (s)kewh₁- — to perceive; to observe.

Ancestry of “kawi”, step by step

Step	Language	Word	Meaning
1	Sanskrit	कवि	wise man, sage, seer, prophet; a singer, bard,...
2	Proto-Indo-Aryan	kawHíṣ	—
3	Proto-Indo-Iranian	káwHiš	seer, poet; institutor of religious rites;...
4	Proto-Indo-European	(s)kewh₁-	to perceive; to observe

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kawi — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer