[An-lang] Etymology of Malay narwastu

[David Mead]

Hi,

Does anyone know the source / etymology of Malay narwastu defined as 
"spikenard, frankincense" (Wilkinson 1908) and as "vetiver Andropogon 
zizanoides ;perfume (prepared from the roots), spikenard oil" 
(Stevens and Schmidgall-Tellings 2004).

One also encounters variant forms, nawastu, narawetu, nagasetu, 
rarawestu, and similar forms in other languages, e.g. narawastu 
(Sundanese?) larasetu, larawestu (Javanese?) karabistu (Madurese?). 
Note also from southeastern Sulawesi : Wolio marawasituu "k.o. plant 
whose fragrant leaves are mixed with tobacco" (Anceaux 1987) and 
Kulisusu marawasituu "k.o. plant, the leaves narrow, often folded, 
growing from a clump in the ground; the root is said to have a 
fragrance similar to ginger" (probably Chrysopogon zizanoides or Dianella sp.)

I have checked Jones Loan-words in Indonesian and Malay and Gonda 
Sanskrit in Indonesia, along with several different tries at Google 
searches, all to no avail.

David



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