English
palmitic acid
From being an acid discovered in saponified palm oils.
A compound of palmite ‘pith of the palm tree’ + palma ‘palm tree’
French palme
French palmite ‘pith of the palm tree’
Proto-Indo-European *pleh₂- ‘flat’
Proto-Indo-European *pl̥h₂meh₂
Proto-Italic *palamā
Latin palma ‘palm tree’
Today it means
noun One of the most common saturated fatty acids; it is found in all animal and most vegetable oils and fats; it is used in the manufacture of soap etc.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / palmitic acid