兜 dōu pouch
How it came to be
A person wearing a helmet that wraps round the whole head and face. From a thing that wraps round, it came to mean a pouch or a pocket.
How it is used
- A pouch/pocket, and to move things around in a loop - 兜里 (dōu li) in one's pocket, 兜风 (dōufēng) to go for a drive/cruise, 兜圈子 (dōu quānzi) to go in circles / beat around the bush.
- As a verb, to hawk goods by circulating - 兜售 (dōushòu) to peddle, 兜揽 (dōulǎn) to solicit business.
- Also 'to scoop up / take on' - 兜着 (dōuzhe) to carry in a fold of cloth; 出事我兜着 I'll take the blame.