Proto-North Caucasian: *qHarč̣V
Meaning: heifer, calf
Notes: In PA *ʁ- is a result of assimilation (*ʁadač̣a < *qadač̣a). The root should be distinguished from a similar *GačV q.v. (because in Lak. there exists an opposition q:aIča - quIrč̣u).
The EC-WC comparison is acceptable if we assume a metathesis in one of the subgroups - which is a rather usual phenomenon in NC roots (especially those containing two stops).
Other etymologies of the WC form (comparison with Georg. deḳeuli 'heifer' in Rogava 1958 or with Tat. ičke 'goat' in Shagirov 2) seem to us less acceptable, both for phonetic and semantic reasons.
