From earlier ensunya (“lard”) by a process of palatalisation (i.e. *enxunya), dissimilation (i.e. *enxulla), and misdivision (i.e. *en xulla). Ultimately from Latin axungia (“axle grease”). Cognate to Galician enxunlla, Asturian enxundia, Spanish enjundia and Portuguese enxúndia.