Entry record from Schapper (2020): Wersing Peitoko
kowas[koˈwas]
• vi. rich; wealthy(eng).kaya(ind).
Nepa ba kowasa.My father is rich.(eng), Bapak saya kaya.(ind)
Origin: Malay |fn{kuasa} 'power, force, might, vigor, able, capable, having the ability', ulitmately from Sanskrit |fn{vaśa} 'will, wish, desire'. Possible intermediate in South or Southeast Sulawesi, e.g., Tolaki |fn{kawasa} 'rich'.