Traces to Dravidian (probably Tamil 'iñci-vēr'), traveling through Pali, Greek, and Latin — a rare Dravidian word in English via spice routes.
A hot fragrant spice made from the rhizome of a tropical plant, used in cooking and medicine.
From Old English 'gingifer,' from Medieval Latin 'gingiber,' from Latin 'zingiber,' from Greek 'zingíberis' (ζιγγίβερις), from Pali 'siṅgivera,' from a Dravidian source — probably related to Tamil 'iñci-vēr' (ginger root), literally 'ginger' + 'root.' The Sanskrit form 'śr̥ṅgavera' (शृङ्गवेर), sometimes cited as the source, may be a folk etymology meaning 'horn-body,' referring to the antler-like shape of the rhizome. Key roots: iñci (Tamil / Dravidian: "ginger"), vēr (Tamil / Dravidian: "root").
Despite appearances, 'gingerly' (cautiously) has nothing to do with ginger the spice. It probably comes from Old French 'gensor' (delicate, graceful), from Latin 'genitus' (well-born). The two words are completely unrelated — one is Dravidian, the other is Latin — and their resemblance is pure coincidence.