Coral
Middle English: via Old French from Latin corallum, from Greek korallion, kouralion .
wiktionary
From Old French coral (French corail), from Latin corallium, from Ancient Greek κοράλλιον(korállion, “coral”). Probably ultimately of Semitic origin, [1] compare Hebrew גּוֹרָל (goral, “small pebble”), Arabic جَرَل (jaral, “small stone”), originally referring to the red variety found in the Mediterranean. Since ancient times, a common folk etymology, accepted by some earlier scholars, connected the word instead to Ancient Greek κόρη(kórē) (referring to Medusa). [2] [3] [4] Beekes mentions both theories and considers the Semitic one convincing. [5]
etymonline
coral (n.)
general name for the hard, calcareous skeleton excreted by certain marine polyps, c. 1300, from Old French coral (12c., Modern French corail), from Latin corallium, from Greek korallion, a word perhaps of Semitic origin (compare Hebrew goral "small pebble," Arabic garal "small stone").
Originally especially the red variety found in the Mediterranean, used ornamentally, hence "red, the (red) color of coral" (mid-15c.). As an adjective, "made of coral," mid-15c. The coral-snake (1760) is so called for the red zones in its markings. Coral-reef is attested from 1745 (see reef (n.1)).
