The Spanish word 'chicle' (meaning 'chewing gum') has its origins in indigenous American languages. It comes from the Nahuatl word 'tzictli', which also meant 'chewing gum'. The Nahuatl term itself derives from the Maya word 'sicte', which referred specifically to the resin of the chicozapote tree (also known as sapodilla). This tree's sticky sap was traditionally used by Maya peoples to make a chewing substance, and this practice was later adopted by the Aztecs and eventually by Spanish colonizers.

The word 'chicle' is fairly unique in Spanish and doesn't have many common related words, though you might encounter 'chicloso' (gummy or sticky) or 'chiclear' (to chew gum). These are all relatively modern derivatives from the same root.

The English word 'chicle' is borrowed directly from Spanish and refers to the natural gum used as the base for chewing gum. You might also recognize this word in 'Chiclets', a famous brand of candy-coated chewing gum that took its name from 'chicle'. While these aren't native English words, they've become well-established in English vocabulary through the popularity of chewing gum in American culture.