Palanquin
/ˌpæl.ənˈkiːn/noun
A covered chair or litter for carrying one person, usually on poles by bearers.
Did you know?The English word came through Portuguese from South Asian languages, and it originally referred to a portable bed or couch before becoming the elite enclosed sedan-chair we picture today.
Etymological Timeline
Sanskrit
Sanskrit
paryaṅka
“a bed, couch, or lounge”
Early Indo-Aryan
Prakrit/Indic
palyaṅka / palang
“a bed or couch”
16th Century
Portuguese
palanquim
“a covered litter or portable chair used in Asia”
17th Century
English
palanquin
“a covered chair or litter carried by bearers”