Late 17th century; earliest use found in John Fryer (d. 1733), traveller and writer. From Urdu mašʿal (also with colloquial pronunciation mašāl) from Persian mašʿal from Arabic mašʿal from šaʿala to light (a fire).
Definition of mussal in US English:
mussal
(also massal)
nounmʌˈsɑːl
Anglo-Indian, Caribbean rare
A torch.
Origin
Late 17th century; earliest use found in John Fryer (d. 1733), traveller and writer. From Urdu mašʿal (also with colloquial pronunciation mašāl) from Persian mašʿal from Arabic mašʿal from šaʿala to light (a fire).