Skr. "karsha" 'a weight of silver or gold equal to of a tulā' (Williams); Singhalese "kāsi" coin. The early Portuguese writers represented the native word by "cas, casse, caxa," the Fr. by "cas", the Eng. by "cass": the existing Pg. "caixa" and Eng. cash are due to a natural confusion with CASH n.1. From an early date the Portuguese applied "caixa" (probably on the same analogy) to the small money of other foreign nations, such as that of Maritime Southeast Asia, and especially the Chinese, which was also naturally made into cash in English. (Yule)" The English word "cash," meaning "tangible currency," is an older word from Middle French "caisse".