Klimov considers this connected with Proto-Kartvelian*q̣wiʒ₁-l-(“liver”) (see ღჳძლი(ɣwiʒli)), referring to jaundice during various types of liver diseases that dramatically increase the yellowish pigmentation of the skin. Starostin however, considers this improbable. He compares Kartvelian *q̇wit-(“yellow”) with Proto-Indo-European*ḱweit-(“white”) (*ḱweytos).