Proto-South Dravidian : *maṭ-ai, *maḍal-
Meaning : stalk, branch
Tamil : maṭṭai
Tamil meaning : leaf-stalk of a fern or palm, stem of plantain; husk of coconut
Tamil derivates : maṭal flat leaf of palm, plantain and screwpine, jagged stem of a palmyra leaf, horse of palmyra stems on which a thwarted lover mounts to proclaim his grief and win his love, flower petal, branch, sheath as of Indian corn, blade of a weapon, shoulderblade
Malayalam : maṭṭa, maṭṭal
Malayalam meaning : palm branch
Malayalam derivates : maṭal palm bough, cadjan, palm-leaf (as for thatching), husk of coconuts, coat of jackfruits, etc.
Kannada : maṭṭe, moṭṭe
Kannada meaning : bough of the palm, coconut or date tree, fibrous coat of a coconut, brush for whitewashing made of the fibrous coat of the coconut
Kannada derivates : maḍal bough of the coconut tree
Kodagu : maṭṭa
Kodagu meaning : base of fronds of coconut tree
Tulu : maḍalu
Tulu meaning : palm branch, coconut branch with plaited leaves
Number in DED : 4663
