An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. Belonging to the sex that typically has the capacity to produce gametes, especially spermatozoa which fertilize the eggs of a female.
   

   2. A person, plant, or animal capable of fertilizing.

Etymology (EN): M.E. male, from O.Fr. malle, masle, from L. masculus “masculine, a male,” → maculine.

Etymology (PE): Nar “male,” from Mid.Pers. nar, “male; manly;” Av. nar- “male, man,” nairya- “male, manly;” cf. Skt nara- “male, man.”