In Dutch the word monster [ˈmɔnstər] means a sample, and also a monster. It was borrowed from the Old French word monstre (monster) in the 13th century and at first meant a monster or monstrosity, and later in the 14th century came to mean a sample, specimen or test piece as well. It is also used to describe something very large [source].

The Old French word monstre came from the Latin mōnstrāre (to show), from mōnstrum (a divine omen indicating misfortune, an evil omen, portent; monster), from monēre (to warn, admonish). From the same root we get such English words as monster, muster, monitor, admonish [source], and also money, which is named after the Roman goddess Juno Moneta, whose temple in Rome housed the mint [source].

Here are some examples of how monster is used (from Duolingo and Reverso):

• We wegen het monster af = We weigh the sample (or monster)
• Hij neemt een monster van onze koeien = He takes a sample from our cows
• Een troebel monster moet worden gefiltreerd = When the sample is cloudy, it should be filtered
• Hier kon ik het monster aanroepen = It’s where I was told I could summon the monster
• Loch Ness is de perfecte bergplaats voor een prehistorisch monster = Loch Ness would be the perfect hiding place for a prehistoric monster
• Een driekoppig monster en vliegende schotels = A three-headed sea monster and some flying saucers

Some related words include:

• monsterlijk = monstrous(ly)
• monstergolf = monster wave, giant breaker, rogue
• monsterjacht = monster hunt(ing), monster yacht
• monsterjager = monster hunter
• monsterverbond = monstrous convenant, unholy alliance
• monsterzege = landslide (victory), monster victory
• zeemonster = sea monster
• bloedmonster = blood sample

Is monster, or something similar, used to mean something very big in other languages?