In Spanish, the word for raccoon is mapache. Official etymologies offer no definitive explanation, merely attributing it to an indigenous Nahuatl origin. However, another source presents a surprising claim: the first recorded instances of mapache as a Powhatan word were documented by John Smith and William Strachey—but in forms such as aroughcun and arathkone.
Where is mapache in all this? Even if these explorers did hear the term from Powhatan speakers, we are well aware of the abundance of Kartvelian elements in indigenous languages.
So, what is the true etymology of mapache? In Megrelian, mapache would mean "one who performs the action of pachua." Searching for the masdar pachua (ფაჩუა), we find its meaning as "chaos" or "disorder".
Thus, mapache translates to "disorder creator." And if there’s any creature synonymous with chaos, it’s the raccoon.
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