An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

An intense warm-core oceanic cyclone that originates in tropical latitudes; called a typhoon in the western Pacific Ocean. Sustained winds are 120 km per hr or higher.

Etymology (EN): Hurricane, from Sp. huracán, from Taino (the language of an extinct Arawakan Indian tribe of the West Indies) hurakán.

Etymology (PE): Tufand, from tufidan “to roar, to raise a tumult,” tufân “storm, the roaring of the sea, the confused hum of men or animals.” Is this Persian word related to Gk. typhon “whirlwind,” personified as a giant, father of the winds?