Where does “tau” come from?

tau (Tongan) comes from Proto-Polynesian tau, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian taʀuq — to store, put away for safekeeping, hide valuables.

tau (Tongan): fight

Definitions

  1. fight

Ancestry of “tau”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Proto-Polynesiantau
2Proto-Malayo-Polynesiantaʀuqto store, put away for safekeeping, hide valuables
Every word from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian taʀuqEvery word from Proto-Polynesian tau
tau — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer