The Spanish verb 'colar' meaning 'to strain or filter' comes from the Latin verb 'colare' with the same meaning. This Latin verb was derived from 'colum', meaning 'filter' or 'strainer', which itself evolved from the Latin word 'qualum', meaning 'wicker basket for filtering'. This shows how the ancient practice of using woven baskets for straining liquids gave rise to the modern Spanish word for filtering.

Some related Spanish words include 'colador' (strainer/colander) and 'coladura' (the process or result of straining), which are direct derivatives of 'colar'. These words maintain the core meaning related to filtering or straining.

The English word 'colander' is related to the Spanish 'colar', as both come from the Latin 'colum'. A colander, being a perforated bowl used for straining food, perfectly preserves the original meaning of filtering or straining that we see in the Spanish verb. The English word 'percolate' is also related, coming from Latin 'percolare' (to filter through), which contains the same root.