Etymology

Etymologically it means 'a religious school', as it is composed of धर्म ‎(dharma, “religion”) and मद्रसा ‎(madrasā, “school”). However, the word is generally used in a different context. Essentially a Sanskrit/Hindi word. (It is similar to the word मदरसा ‎(madarsā) used by Muslims; मदरसा however, is actually an Islamic religious school where the holy Koran is taught.)