The word Abelmoschus is latinized from the Arabic and means father of musk. It is easy to see how it was derived from abu-el-misk (or abu-i-misk, abu-l-mosk, and many other spelling variants). The name's meaning hints at the smell of the seeds.Abelmoschus moschatus seeds contain musky-smelling compounds used in perfume-making, as substitutes for animal musk or blended with other musks to create specific scents.

Most of us don't get our noses near the seeds of Abelmoschus esculentus (okra), since the seeds are surrounded by mucilage, a gelatinous substance that gives okra its distinctive "sliminess" - a key characteristic that separates okra lovers from okra haters. The name okra is from nkru, the Ashanti (West African) word for this plant.

— Dave’s Garden email 20171002