Etymology

Origin disputed. Compare Daco-Romanian mânz, Meglenitic mǫndz; possibly from or related and cognate to Albanian (Gheg) mâz (compare standard mëz, Old Albanian manz) through the substrate, or of Illyrian origin. Compare the Thracian word mezenai, "horse", and Messapian Menzana, a horse deity. Compare also Italian manzo, probably ultimately from the same source.