கட்டுமரம் (Tamil)

Where does "கட்டுமரம்" come from?

The Tamil word 'கட்டுமரம்' (kaṭṭumaram) is a descriptive compound that directly reveals its function, combining the roots 'கட்டு' (to tie or bind) and 'மரம்' (tree or log). Both components trace back to Proto-Dravidian roots, reflecting the ancient method of fastening logs together to create a simple, effective raft.

Full etymology tree

• கட்டுமரம் (Tamil), 'a makeshift boat made by binding logs together with a rope; raft'
  • compound கட்டு (Tamil), 'to tie, bind, fasten, shackle'
    • inherited *kaṭ- (Proto-Dravidian), 'to tie'
  • compound மரம் (Tamil), 'tree'
    • inherited 𑀫𑀭𑀫𑁆 (Old Tamil), 'tree'
      • inherited *maran (Proto-Dravidian), 'tree'
        • compound *mar (Proto-Dravidian)
        • compound *an (Proto-Dravidian)

Direct ancestors

• கட்டு (Tamil)
• மரம் (Tamil)

Updated July 2026

Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris