Etymology of the Word Atan

The word atan has occurred several times in historical Turkic languages (Old Turkic, Middle Turkic) as atan / atgan castrated camel and several etymologies have been written on the word. The aim of this study is to give the etymologies related to atan word and to suggest a new etymology of the word. For this purpose, the study is grouped under six subtitles: Introduction, The word Atan in Historical Turkic Languages, The Word Atan in Modern Turkic Languages, Etymologies Related to the Word Atan, A New Etymology Proposal and Conclusion. In the conclusion part, the following etymology has been proposed: Yak. at castrated > atta- (<*at+laa-) to castrate, < CT (Common Turkic) *at+a-n. Furthermore, it has also been determined that it is possible to develop the meanings of the word with the modern Turkish language and dialects, while the word only survives with the meaning castrated camel in historical Turkic languages. e.g. NewUyg., Uzb, KirTat. atan castrated camel; Khak. adan 1. working camel; 2. meth. tambourine; igir adan shaman tambourine (lit. `humpback camel'), alti imcektig igir adan sixwire shaman tambourine; Alt. adan shaman tambourine; Kaz. atan 1. castrated camel over four years old; 2. meth. huge, bulky; Bash. atan 1. male camel held for breeding purpose, 2. first offspring of camel.