The Arabic roots of the word 'mascara'

'Mascara' is a word borrowed from Arabic 'masḵara'. The word entered the English language some time around 1886.

mascara [noun] [1886]

A cosmetic especially for making the eyelashes darker and more prominent

See 'mascara' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Arabic.

note: Late 19th century from Italian - literally ‘mask’ from Arabic masḵara ‘buffoon’.
Etymology: Probably from Italian 'maschera' mask

See more loan words from 1800s.