An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A hard translucent yellow, orange, or brownish-yellow fossil resin. Amber becomes negatively charged when rubbed with wool, because it attracts negative charges (electrons) and will take them from wool.

Etymology (EN): M.E. ambre, from O.Fr., from L. ambra, ambar, from Ar. ‘anbar “ambergris, amber,” from Mid.Pers. ambar, → ambergris.

Etymology (PE): Kahrobâ, from kah “straw” + robâ “attractor.” The first component kah, kâh
“straw, hay,” from Mid.Pers. kâh “chaff, straw;” cf. Pali kattha- “a piece of wood;” Skt. kastha- “stick;” Gk. klados “twig;”
O.Ir. caill “wood;” P.Gmc. *khulto-; Ger. Holz “wood;” E. holt; PIE *kldo-. The second component robâ, from robudan “to attract, to grab, rob;” Av. urūpaiieinti “to cause racking pain(?);” cf. Skt. rup- “to suffer from abdominal pain,” rurupas “to cause violent pain,” ropaná- “causing racking pain,” rópi- “racking pain;” L. rumpere “to break;” O.E. reofan “to break, tear.”
In Arabic kahrobâ, a loanword from Persian, is used as equivalent for electricity.