Query on the term *mistri*

[Jo Kirkpatrick]

So did you mean to suggest that the word entered Telugu from English?

What I hope to find out is how the word came into Indian languages, and
from which probable language source (colonial, e.g. English, Portuguese,
French? or.....?)
JK
*********************
 The word appears to be derived most probably
> from the word 'master' or 'mastery'. It is also used to indicate
> an expert in a trade. Thus 'tApI mEstrI' stands for 'master mason'.
>
> regards,
>
> sarma.