Molokhia
/məˈluː.ki.ə/noun
A leafy green vegetable, usually prepared as a stew, made from jute mallow leaves.
Did you know?The Arabic name is commonly connected with mulūk, “kings,” although scholars debate whether “royal herb” is the original meaning or a later folk explanation.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Egypt
Egyptian/Coptic
possibly related forms
“Some scholars have proposed a Coptic or Egyptian substrate for the plant’s name, but the exact origin remains disputed.”
Medieval Arabic
Arabic
mulūkhiyya
“The name for the leafy dish or plant; it is traditionally associated with mulūk, “kings.””
Medieval Arabic
Arabic
malik
““King” or “ruler,” from the Semitic root m-l-k; this is the root traditionally linked to the royal interpretation of mulūkhiyya.”
19th Century
European languages
molokhia / mouloukhiya
“The Arabic culinary term entered European usage through descriptions of Middle Eastern and North African cuisine.”
Modern English
English
molokhia
“Jute mallow leaves, or the stew prepared from them, especially in Egyptian and Levantine cooking.”