Early 17th century. Borrowed, perhaps through Dutch pinguïn (1595), from English penguin , which originally referred to the now extinct great auk . Further origin uncertain. Probably either from Welsh pen gwyn ( literally “ white head ” ) , the great auk having two characteristic white patches near the eyes; or from Latin pinguis ( “ fat, plump ” ) , referring to the plumpish appearance of both birds. Sources vary as to which theory is likelier.
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Borrowed from Brazilian Portuguese pinguim .
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