From Middle Persianplwʾnk'(parwānag, “guide, leader”). Compare فرانه(farâne), فرانک(farânak). For the sense “caracal”, see Iranica.[1]
This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium. Particularly: “The "butterfly" and "guide" meanings are etymologically distinct. The butterfly meaning derives from Proto-Indo-Iranian*parnám(“leaf, feather”),[2] while the guide meaning derives from Proto-Indo-Iranian*pr̥Hwás(“before, first”).[3]”
Edelʹman, D. I. (2020) Etimologičeskij slovarʹ iranskix jazykov [Etymological Dictionary of Iranian Languages] (in Russian), volume 6, Moscow: Vostochnaya Literatura, page 187
Edelʹman, D. I. (2020) Etimologičeskij slovarʹ iranskix jazykov [Etymological Dictionary of Iranian Languages] (in Russian), volume 6, Moscow: Vostochnaya Literatura, page 212
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