If "lute" comes from Arabic, there is no consolation for the "English or nothing" brigade in the name of the Cittern or guitar.
From the same Sanscrit root (which would imply an Indian (Indus Valley) or possibly Persian origin) we have the Indian Sitar, The Javanese Siter, which is more like a table harp, the Cithara from Greece and the Balkans,and the Zither, common in Northern Europe.
The Spanish took their word from the Arabic Speaking Moors so qitar becomes Guitarra in Spanish.
The earliest recorded use of the word in English was in the 14th century, when the instrument, whatever it looked like, was called a "giterne"
This reference was found here:-
Etymology
Cheers
Dave