Where Does the Word Peculate Come from?

Peculate comes from the Latin word peculium, meaning private property, which itself has the root pecu, or cattle, so the literal meaning of peculium is "property in cattle." Cattle were considered very valuable property in ancient times, and stealing them was a grave act.

What is the meaning of peculation?

verb (used with or without object), pec·u·lat·ed, pec·u·lat·ing. to steal or take dishonestly (money, especially public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle.

Where did the word which originate from?

Old English hwilc (West Saxon, Anglian), hwælc (Northumbrian) "which," short for hwi-lic "of what form," from Proto-Germanic *hwa-lik- (source also of Old Saxon hwilik, Old Norse hvelikr, Swedish vilken, Old Frisian hwelik, Middle Dutch wilk, Dutch welk, Old High German hwelich, German welch, Gothic hvileiks "which"), ...