raita

Where does the word "raita" come from? It comes from Sanskrit rajika, passing through Hindi before entering English (1832).

Raita’s story begins in Sanskrit: rajika meant “mustard seed.” Meant 'black mustard seed'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Hindi as raita. Named a yogurt side dish flavored with mustard and spices. It reached English by 1832 as raita. British writers on Indian food adopted the word. Today, raita means a cooling South Asian side dish of yogurt mixed with vegetables, fruit, or spices.

1. Stage 1 · Sanskrit · ancient rajika "mustard seed", meant 'black mustard seed'.
2. Stage 2 · Hindi · medieval raita "a spiced yogurt side dish", named a yogurt side dish flavored with mustard and spices.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1832 raita "a cooling yogurt dish mixed with vegetables or fruit", British writers on Indian food adopted the word.