C13: from Old French mahomet idol, literally: the prophet Mohammed, from the belief that his image was worshipped
maumet in American English
(ˈmɔmɪt)
noun
1. Brit dialect
a.
a doll, puppet, scarecrow, or other figure built to resemble a human being
b.
an empty-headed or mindless person
2. obsolete
an idol; a false god
Derived forms
maumetry
noun
Word origin
[1175–1225; ME ‹ OF mahommet idol, special use of Mahommetmohammed, whose image was thought to be an object of worship]This word is first recorded in the period 1175–1225. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: cast, catch, double, figure, talk