Pali rohita (4)
Davids and Stede’s Pali-English Dictionary says Pali word rohita refers to “red.” The Sanskrit word rohita is an equivalent word to Pali rohita. It traces its origin to the Tamil root ar. This ar changes into rohita in Pali through the transformation of ar > ru > rudh/ruh > rohita. The following words, related to Pali rohita, also originate from Tamil ar.
rohicca, (from rohita) a kind of deer. rohiṇī, a red cow, name of a nakkhatta or constellation (red cow), name of a river. rohita-maccha, the red fish, Cyprinus rohita.