Etymologies of ringgit, satay, tempeh

[Jim Rader]

My recent postings were rejected due to an e-mail address
change.  I hope these go through without problems.

A query that can (I hope) be easily answered by Malay specialists
on the list:  Is the literal meaning of <ringgit>, the Malaysian
currency, "serrated, notched"?  I believe Jim Collins gave me this
gloss a number of years ago, but I no longer have a copy of his
original note.  To judge from the derivatives <beringgit>, "toothed,
notched" and <meringgit>, "to notch," it appears probable. I have
no access to Wilkinson or any other compendious Malay
dictionary that might decide the matter.

English <satay>, "meat marinated and grilled on a skewer," is
presumably from Malay <sate>, from Javanese <sate>, is it not?
Does this word have an accepted ulterior origin?  A suggestion I
received from Jim Collins (preserved in this case in his handwriting,
though I wouldn't hold him to it after 15 or so years) is that the
etymon is Sanskrit <sakthi:-> or perhaps more likely Prakritic
<satthi->, "thigh."  Not, apparently, from Modern Indo-Aryan, for
which all reflexes have an extended <-l->, e.g., Hindi <sa:~thal>.

Is Javanese <tempe>,  "cake of fermented soybeans," a
borrowing?  Of clear Austronesian origin?

Thanks to list members for any help.

Cordially,
Jim Rader

.................
Jim Rader
Etymology Editor
Merriam-Webster, Inc.
47 Federal St., P.O. Box 281
Springfield MA 01102
http://www.merriamwebster.com