preta
/ˈpreɪtə/(also pret) Hinduism and Buddhism
noun
The disembodied soul of a dead person, especially before the completion of funeral rites and ceremonies allowing it to leave the world of humans as an ancestral spirit, frequently imagined as a ghost tortured by hunger and thirst.
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in William Ward (1769–1823), missionary in India and journalist. From Sanskrit preta (participle) departed, deceased, (noun) dead person, spirit of a dead person from pre- to proceed, depart (from pra- forth + i- to go) + -ta, suffix forming participles.