harem

The story

1. Arabicحَرَم (ḥaram)
2. Ottoman Turkishحرم (harem)
3. English todayharem

Borrowed from Ottoman Turkish حرم (harem) (whence Turkish harem), from Arabic حَرَم (ḥaram, “something prohibited; sanctuary, women”); and later also from حَرِيم (ḥarīm) with same meaning, both from حَرُمَ (ḥaruma, “be forbidden or unlawful”). Doublet of haram and herem.

First known use, by meaning

• from 1841 The private section of a Muslim household forbidden to male strangers.
• from 1911 A group of female animals (cows) herded and controlled by a male animal (bull) of that species for breeding purposes. Such behaviour is exhibited by bovids including cattle and buffalo as well as moose, elephants, seals (including elephant seals), sea lions, and baboons.