The word 'catty' originally came from Malaysian as 'kati'

'Catty' is a word borrowed from Malaysian 'kati'. The word entered the English language some time around 1598.

catty [noun] [1598]

• any of various units of weight of China and southeast Asia varying around 1 pounds (about 600 grams)
• a standard Chinese unit equal to 1.1023 pounds (500 grams)

See 'catty' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Malaysian.

Etymology: Malay 'kati'

See more loan words from 1500s.