Patra
/ˈpʌt.rə/noun
An Indian dish made from spiced colocasia leaves that are rolled, steamed, and often fried.
Did you know?Sanskrit patra could mean a leaf, feather, wing, vessel, or written letter, reflecting how leaves served as both natural objects and early writing material.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pet-
“To rush or fly; the root associated with spreading wings and movement through the air.”
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
patra
“A leaf, feather, wing, vessel, or written letter.”
Medieval Gujarati
Gujarati
પાત્ર (pātra)
“A leaf or leaf-based preparation; the term became associated with dishes made from leaves.”
Modern Gujarati
Gujarati
પાત્ર (patra)
“A steamed preparation of spiced colocasia leaves, commonly known as patra.”
20th Century
English
patra
“An Indian culinary dish of rolled, spiced colocasia leaves, adopted into English food vocabulary.”
Modern English
English
patra
“A savory Indian snack or side dish made from seasoned leafy rolls.”