* Origin: The word likely comes from the Malay word "rotan," which referred to the climbing palm plants that produce the strong, flexible canes we know as rattan.
* Spread: The word spread through trade routes and colonial influences. The Portuguese adopted it as "rotang" and introduced it to other European languages.
* English: The English word "rattan" likely arrived in the 17th century through the Portuguese.
* Variations: Different regions and languages have variations of the word, such as "rotan" in Malay, "rotin" in Indonesian, and "rattan" in French and German.
So, the word "rattan" itself is a testament to the global interconnectedness of trade and language, starting from its humble beginnings in the Malay language.