Here's the breakdown:
* Arabic: The word "طوب" (pronounced "toob") in Arabic means "brick".
* Spanish: This Arabic word was adopted into Spanish as "adobe" with the same meaning – "brick".
* English: The Spanish word "adobe" was then borrowed into English, initially referring to sun-dried bricks used for building.
Over time, the word "adobe" expanded its meaning in English. While it still refers to the bricks, it also came to represent the material these bricks are made of (a mixture of clay, sand, and water) and even the buildings constructed using these bricks.
So, while "adobe" ultimately comes from Arabic, its origin lies in its evolution and adoption through Spanish and then into English.