pozzolana

The story

1. Latin · derived fromPuteoli
2. Italian · borrowed frompozz(u)olana
3. English todaypozzolana

Borrowed from Italian pozz(u)olana, earth of Pozzuoli, a town near Naples, itself from Latin Puteoli, ultimately from the verb puteō (“stink”).

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 17th c. A type of volcanic ash used for mortar or for cement which sets under water.