howadjiEtymologyFrom Arabic خَوَاجَا (ḵawājā, “gentleman”), from Classical Persian خواجه (xwāja, “gentleman”). The term came to be applied to merchants because they were formerly the chief travellers. Doublet of hodja.nounA traveller or merchant from the Middle East“"O fisherman, have you any fish?" And he held up a string of them and made answer: "O Howadji, I have."”