From Greek býrsa 'hide, leather' via Medieval Latin bursa — the same root behind bourse (stock exchange).
A small bag for carrying money and personal items.
From Old English purs, from Medieval Latin bursa 'leather bag, purse,' from Greek býrsa 'hide, leather.' The Greek word is probably of pre-Greek origin. The same Greek root gives us 'bursar,' 'bursary,' 'disburse,' and 'reimburse.' Key