From Frankish *malha (leather bag), via Old French 'male' — the bag's name transferred to its contents.
Letters and packages conveyed by the postal system.
From Old French 'male' meaning 'bag, wallet,' from Frankish *malha (leather bag), from Proto-Germanic *malhō. Originally the bag that carried letters — then the letters themselves. Key roots: *malhō (Proto-Germanic: "bag").