The Spanish word 'zopilote', meaning 'vulture', comes directly from the Nahuatl (Aztec) word 'tzopilotl', which also meant 'vulture'. This is one of many words that Spanish borrowed from the indigenous languages of the Americas after colonization. The transformation from 'tzopilotl' to 'zopilote' shows typical Spanish adaptations of Nahuatl words: the initial 'tz-' sound was simplified to 'z-', and the final '-tl' became '-te'.

Since 'zopilote' comes from Nahuatl rather than Latin or Greek roots, there aren't many etymologically related simpler Spanish words. This word stands somewhat alone in Spanish vocabulary as one of the many unique contributions from indigenous American languages.

There aren't any etymologically related English words to 'zopilote', as it comes from Nahuatl. However, English has borrowed this word directly as 'zopilote', though it's primarily used in contexts specifically referring to vultures in Central America and Mexico.