Ratan
/rəˈtæn/noun
A variant spelling of rattan, the flexible stem of certain climbing palms used for furniture, baskets, and cane work.
Did you know?Ratan entered English through colonial-era trade terminology, ultimately tracing to Malay *rotan*, the name for the climbing palm material—not to the Sanskrit word for “jewel,” despite the similar spelling.
Etymological Timeline
Before the 17th Century
Malay
rotan
“The climbing palm or its flexible cane, especially material used for weaving and construction.”
17th Century
Portuguese/Dutch trade English
rotang/rotan
“A Southeast Asian cane product encountered through maritime commerce.”
1660s
English
rattan
“Cane from a climbing palm, used for making furniture and other objects.”
18th–19th Century
English
ratan
“A variant spelling of rattan, particularly appearing in trade and colonial usage.”
Modern English
English
ratan
“A less common spelling variant of rattan.”