the word 'tabu' entered the english language in the late 18th century from tongan and other polynesian languages, where it denoted something sacred, prohibited, or set apart. captain james cook's accounts of his voyages in the pacific islands were instrumental in introducing the concept and term to european audiences. the word was quickly adopted into anthropological and general use to describe any strong social prohibition. its spelling was later influenced by the french form 'tabou', and the variant 'taboo' has become more common in modern english, though 'tabu' remains a standard spelling.

this word is a direct loanword from polynesian languages (specifically tongan and maori) into english. it does not contain separable morphemes within the english spelling system.