Do you know how many English words of Indonesian origin (Javanese, Malay, Sundanese etc)
I’m planning to list every words that I’ve found in English dictionaries, offline or online. Here are some of them, the list will be updated if I’ve found another one:
Babirusa
It’s from Malay (babi – pig and rusa – deer) and according to Meriam Webster it has been used since 1673. The definition is a large wild swine (Babyrousa babyrussa) of Indonesia.
Banteng
It’s from Javanese (banténg) through Malay (banteng) and according to Meriam Webster it has been used since 1817. The definition is a wild ox (Bos javanicus syn. B. banteng) of southeastern Asia sometimes domesticated for use as a draft animal or for its meat.
Batik
It’s from Javanese (batik) and according to Meriam Webster it has been used since 1830. The definition is a fabric printed by an Indonesian method of hand-printing textiles by coating with wax the parts not to be dyed and a design executed in batik.
Bamboo
It’s from Malay (bambu) and according to Meriam Webster it has been used since 1586. The definition is any of various woody or arborescent grasses (as of the genera Bambusa, Arundinaria, and Dendrocalamus of the subfamily Bambusoideae) of tropical and temperate regions having hollow stems, thick rhizomes, and shoots that are used for food; also : the jointed stem of bamboo used especially for building, furniture, and utensils
Gambier
It’s from Malay (gambir) and according to Meriam Webster it has been used since 1830. The definition is a yellowish catechu that is obtained from a tropical southeast Asian woody vine (Uncaria gambir) of the madder family and is used for chewing with the betel nut and for tanning and dyeing.
Gingham
Genggang or Gingham (source: Wikimedia Commons)
It’s maybe from Malaysian Malay (genggang). KBBI genggang’s definition (celah, renggang) is different with Kamus Dewan’s (sejenis kain yang bercorak berjalur-jalur atau dam). It has been used since 1615. Meriam Webster’s definition is a clothing fabric usually of yarn-dyed cotton in plain weave.
Godown
It’s from Malay (gudang) and according to Meriam Webster it has been used since 1552. The definition is a warehouse in a country of southern or eastern Asia.
Gourami
Giant gourami (source: Wikimedia Commons)
It’s from Javanese (graméh) maybe through Malay (gurami) or Sundanese (gurame). It has been used since 1878. Meriam defines Gourami as any of numerous African and Asian tropical freshwater bony fishes (order Perciformes), such as a large Asian food fish (Osphronemus goramy of the family Osphronemidae) or any of various small fishes (families Belontiidae and Helostomatidae) often kept in aquariums.
Ikat
It’s from Malay (ikat – tying) and according to Meriam Webster it has been used since 1927. The definition is a fabric in which the yarns have been tie-dyed before weaving.
Ramie
Ramie’s plant and it’s flower (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
It’s from Malay (rami) and has been used since 1832. Meriam Webster defines Ramie as Asian perennial plant (Boehmeria nivea) of the nettle family or the strong lustrous bast fiber of ramie capable of being spun or woven; fabric made of ramie often resembling linen or silk.