punkah/ˈpʌŋkə/EtymologyBorrowed from Hindi पंखा (paṅkhā, “fan”), from Sanskrit पक्षक (pakṣaka), from पक्ष (pakṣa, “wing”).punkah means A fan, particularly a large fan made of leaf or cloth and hung from the ceiling, (historical) formerly often operated by a servant. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 87 out of 100.nounA fan, particularly a large fan made of leaf or cloth and hung from the ceiling, (historical) formerly often operated by a servant.“A punkah is, by some, used instead of a chattah, (or umbrella); but it is very inferior as a defence against either sun, wind, or rain.”