The Spanish word 'tamalito' comes from combining 'tamal' with the diminutive suffix '-ito'. The base word 'tamal' itself comes from the Nahuatl (Aztec) word 'tamalli', which meant 'wrapped bread'. When Spanish speakers adopted this word from the indigenous peoples of Mexico, they simplified the pronunciation to 'tamal'. Adding the diminutive suffix '-ito' creates 'tamalito', literally meaning 'little tamale'.

This is a perfect example of how Spanish frequently creates diminutive forms of nouns to indicate smaller size or to express endearment, using the very productive suffix '-ito'.

The simpler and more common Spanish word 'tamal' is directly related to 'tamalito', being its base form. A tamal (or tamale in English) is a traditional Latin American dish made of corn-based dough wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves. The diminutive form 'tamalito' is often used to describe smaller versions of this dish or to refer to it affectionately.

While there aren't any etymologically related native English words, English has borrowed 'tamale' (the anglicized form of 'tamal') directly from Spanish. The word entered English in the late 19th century as Mexican cuisine became more familiar to English speakers. Some English speakers might also be familiar with 'tamale pie', an American adaptation of the traditional dish.