mammet

The story

1. Arabic · derived fromمُحَمَّد
2. Andalusian Arabic · derived fromمَحُمَّدْ“Maḥummad”
3. Anglo-Norman · derived frommaumet
4. Middle English · inherited frommawmet
5. English todaymammet

From Middle English mawmet, from Anglo-Norman maumet, shortened form of mauhoumet, mahumet; deriving from Andalusian Arabic مَحُمَّدْ (“Maḥummad”), ultimately derived from Arabic مُحَمَّد (muḥammad). Doublet of Muhammad and Mahound.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• 13th–17th c. A false god; an idol.
• from 15th c. A doll or puppet; a lifeless figure, an effigy, a scarecrow.
• from 16th c. A contemptible person; a weakling, a fool.