An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The soft, lustrous fiber obtained as a filament from the cocoon of the silkworm (Dictionary.com).

Etymology (EN): M.E., from O.E. seolc, sioluc, from L. sericum “silk garment, silk,” from neuter of sericus “silken,” from Gk. serikos, from Seres, an eastern Asian people, probably the Chinese (cf. Chinese si “silk”, Manchurian sirghe, Mongolian sirkek).

Etymology (PE): Abrišam “silk,” from Mid.Pers. abrešom “silk,” ultimately from Proto-Ir. *au-uris-, from *uris- “to turn, spin;” cf.
rešté “thread, line, file,” reštan, ristan,
“to spin;” Mid.Pers. ‘rws- “to turn to;” Av. uruuaēs- “to twist, turn.”