păta

Etymology
Probably from, a verb based on Classical. For the semantics, cf. 🇨🇬 < . The normal outcome of /kt/ is /pt/ in Romanian, but the loss of /p/ in this case can be explained as the result of dissimilation from the word-initial /p/. (Compare <  and possibly  < .), borrowed from the 🇨🇬 cognate.

Verb

 * 1) to stain, blot, speckle, smudge
 * 2) to soil, taint, blemish