Etymology Map
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Darbuka

3 stages from Arabic to English.

Today it means a goblet-shaped hand drum of the Middle East and Turkey

Where does the word "darbuka" come from? It comes from Arabic darabukka, passing through Turkish before entering English (1900s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
darabukka
Arabic · medieval
"drum"
from 'daraba', to strike
2
Stage 2 of 3
darbuka
Turkish · 1800s
"goblet drum"
used in Turkish, Roma and belly-dance music
3
Stage 3 of 3
darbuka
English · 1900s
"goblet drum"
entered English with Middle Eastern music; also spelled 'darabukka' and 'doumbek'
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Read the full story

Darbuka’s story begins in Arabic: darabukka meant “drum.” From 'daraba', to strike. By 1800s, the word had taken hold in Turkish as darbuka. Used in Turkish, Roma and belly-dance music. It reached English by 1900s as darbuka. Entered English with Middle Eastern music; also spelled 'darabukka' and 'doumbek'. Today, darbuka means a goblet-shaped hand drum of the Middle East and Turkey.