ru·mal \(ˈ)rü|mäl\noun orro·mal\rōˈm-\ (-s) Etymology: Hindi rūmāl, from Persian, from rū face + māl wiper 1.: a usually silk plainwoven Indian fabric used for dresses and handkerchiefs 2.: an often checked cotton or silk kerchief used as a scarf and in India as a headdress by men