Sirte

From Italian Sirte under influence from French Syrte, from Arabic سِرْت (Sirt) and Latin Syrtis, from Ancient Greek Σύρτις (Súrtis, “Sirte, Gulf of Sidra, Gulf of Gabes”), of uncertain origin but possibly derived from συρτός (surtós, “swept, dragged along”) from σῡ́ρειν (sū́rein, “to drag along”) in reference to the proverbially treacherous effect of the wind and waves on the area's quicksand. Doublet of syrtis.