benzoin

The story

1. Arabicلُبَان (lubān)
2. Proto-Indo-European*yew-
3. Proto-Indo-European*yéwos
4. Proto-Indo-Iranian*yáwas
5. Sanskritयव (yava)bor.?
6. Proto-Austronesian*zawa
7. Proto-Malayo-Polynesian*zawader.?
8. Old Javanesejawa
9. Old JavaneseJawi
10. Javaneseꦗꦮꦶ (jawi)
11. Arabicجَاوَة (jāwa)
12. Arabicـِيّ (-iyy)
13. Arabicجَاوِيّ (jāwiyy)
14. Arabicلُبَان جَاوِيّ (lubān jāwiyy)
15. Catalanbenjuí
16. Middle Frenchbenjoin
17. English todaybenzoin

From Middle French benjoin, from Catalan benjuí, from Arabic لُبَان جَاوِيّ (lubān jāwiyy, “Javanese frankincense”). The first word is from Proto-West Semitic *laban- (“white”), the second from جاوة (jāwa, “Java”) (from Javanese ꦗꦮ (jawa)). The initial lu was probably lost because it was taken as the definite article in Romance. Compare oliban.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 16th c. A resinous substance, dry and brittle, obtained from Styrax benzoin, a tree of Sumatra, Java, etc., having a fragrant odor, and slightly aromatic taste. It is used in the preparation of benzoic acid, in medicine, and as a perfume.
• from 19th c. An aromatic hydroxy ketone, 2-hydroxy-1,2-di(phenyl)ethanone, synthesized from benzaldehyde; any derivative of this compound.
• from 19th c. The spicebush, Lindera benzoin.