pun·kah noun alsopun·ka\ˈpəŋkə\ (-s) Etymology: Hindi pãkhā fan, from Sanskrit pakṣa wing; akin to Sanskrit pakṣas wing — more at pectoral : an Indian device for fanning a room consisting of a frame covered with cloth and suspended from the ceiling or a large fan held in the hand; also: a fanning device (as an electric fan)