An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
English-French-Persian

1) Persons indefinitely or collectively; persons in general.
2) Human beings, as distinguished from animals or other beings (Dictionary.com).

M.E. peple, from O.Fr. peupel "people, population, crowd; mankind," from L. populus "a people, nation; a multitude, crowd," of unknown origin.

Mardom "man, human being, mankind, people;" from Mid.Pers. mardôm "human being, man, mankind, people" (from *mard-tohm "seed of man"), from mard "man, humanity" (cognate with mordan "to die"); O.Pers. martiya-; Av. marəta- "mortal, man," maša- "mortal;" cf. Skt. márta- "mortal, man;" Gk. emorten "died;" L. mortalis "subject to death."