sambar

Where does the word "sambar" come from? It comes from Tamil/Marathi sambhar, and was adopted directly into English (1900s).

Sambar’s story begins in Tamil/Marathi: sambhar meant “a lentil and vegetable stew.” A lentil-based vegetable stew, seasoned with tamarind and spices. It reached English by 1900s as sambar. Legend credits the Maratha ruler Shahuji of Thanjavur with inventing it in the 1600s. Today, sambar means a South Indian stew made from lentils, vegetables, and tamarind.

1. Stage 1 · Tamil/Marathi · medieval sambhar "a lentil and vegetable stew", a lentil-based vegetable stew, seasoned with tamarind and spices.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1900s sambar "a South Indian lentil and vegetable stew", legend credits the Maratha ruler Shahuji of Thanjavur with inventing it in the 1600s.