This is a partial list of loanwords in English language, that were borrowed or derived, either directly or indirectly, from Malay language. Many of the words are decisively Malay or shared with other Malayic languages group, while others obviously entered Malay both from related Austronesian languages and unrelated languages of India and China. Some may also not directly derived from Malay into English, but through other languages, in particular, that of European powers that have exercised significant influence in the Maritime Southeast Asia.
The adoption of various Malay terms began with contact between European powers and classical sultanates in Nusantara in the 16th century and accelerated in the 19th century with the advent of British colonisation in the region. Many of the earliest borrowing can be found in the accounts of early voyages during the age of discovery, when traders and travellers brought back products and objects of natural history from Maritime Southeast Asia which became known by their native names. Over the time, with the flowering of English literature dealing with subjects native to the region, other words used to denote things and notions of Malay world and culture, have also made their way into English.
A
Agar (also 'agar-agar') a gelatinous substance obtained from various kinds of red seaweed and used in biological culture media and as a thickener in foods. From Malay agar-agar, first known use was in 1813. Amok (also 'amuck' or '')out of control, especially when armed and dangerous; in a frenzy of violence, or on a killing spree, 'berserk', as in 'to run amok'. Adopted into English via Portuguese amouco, from Malay amok ('rushing in a frenzy'). Earliest known use was in 1665 as a noun denoting a Malay in a homicidal frenzy. Angraecum Neo-Latin modification of Malay anggěrik orchid. First known use was in 1805. Attap From the Malay word atap (thatch). Thatch made in SE Asia from Nipa palm fronds.
B
Babirusa (also 'babiroussa') from French babiroussa, from Malay babi hog + rusa deer. A wild pig (Babyrousa babyrussa) of Southeast Asia with backward-curving tusks. First known use was in 1673. Balanda (also 'ballanda' or 'ballander') from Makassarese balanda, from Malay belanda (alteration of Hollander in the sense of "Dutchman"). First known use in English was from the mid-19th century. The Yolŋu people of Arnhem Land in northern Australia, through their contact with Macassan traders, adopted the word and use it for all white people, both in their own languages and in Aboriginal English. Bamboo from Dutch bamboes, based on Malay mambu. First known use was in 1586. The common Malay word for bamboo is buluh, though the root word mambu may have originated as a corruption of the Malay word semambu, a type of rattan used to make the walking stick variously referred to as Malacca cane or bamboo cane in English. Banteng from Malay banteng, derived from Javanese banṭéng. A Southeast Asian forest ox that resembles the domestic cow, domesticated in Bali (Bos javanicus). First known use was in 1817. Bilimbi a Southeast Asian evergreen tree (Averrhoa bilimbi) resembling the carambola. Also refers to the very acid fruit of the bilimbi that is used for preserves or pickles. From Konkani bilimbī, from Malay bĕlimbing. Binturong from binturong, 'a large species of civet, Arctictis binturong, of Southeast Asia'. First known use was in the early 19th century.