Early 19th century; earliest use found in John Crawfurd (1783–1868), orientalist and colonial administrator. From Malay pulut, short for padi pulut sticky rice from padi + pulut sticky.
Definition of pulut in US English:
pulut
nounˈpuːlʊt
In Malaysia: a kind of glutinous rice.
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in John Crawfurd (1783–1868), orientalist and colonial administrator. From Malay pulut, short for padi pulut sticky rice from padi + pulut sticky.