मुक्ता

Etymology
Traditionally derived from, as pearl collectors would "loosen" pearls from the shells of clams.

However, Mayrhofer considers the above to be folk etymology, and prefers to derive the word from an unattested intermediate (whence 🇨🇬), which was hyper-corrected in order to match the folk etymology.

In light of the intermediate form, more likely from, the past participle of , or, along with corresponding Dravidian words (compare 🇨🇬), borrowed from some other source language.

Noun

 * 1)  pearl
 * 2) unchaste woman
 * 3) species of plant