Most likely from Vulgar Latin *pistālia, from Late Latinpistāre < Latinpinsō(“stamp, pound, crush”); also hypothesized to be (due to the -aie ending) from various other possible Latin sources, including *quassitālia, from quassāre, or *pyxitālia, from pyxis. Akin to Albanian bishtajë, which is probably of Latin origin itself, and less likely a substratum term. Compare also Aromanian pãstalji.