1930s; earliest use found in ‘George Orwell’ (1903–1950), political writer and essayist (real name Eric Arthur Blair). From Hindi pānī-vālā from pānī + -vālā.
Definition of pani-wallah in US English:
pani-wallah
(also panniwallah)
nounˈpɑːniwɒlə
In South Asia: a water-carrier.
Origin
1930s; earliest use found in ‘George Orwell’ (1903–1950), political writer and essayist (real name Eric Arthur Blair). From Hindi pānī-vālā from pānī + -vālā.