Technically the term means a small food item or drink that is supposed to stimulate your appetite. Or hors d’oeuvres..appetizers or savory fillers while waiting for the main course, or in some cases, even stand alone foods one has say at a cocktail party.
But how would something like pakorey and samosey qualify as an appetizer? I see these on desi menus all the time. Before a meal, I’d be filled up if I ate a plate of pakorey or a samosa or shaami kabob. Wouldn’t they qualify more as a snack?
Re: Appetizers
LOL It’s crazy. I think about this every time I go to a desi gathering.
When ever the apps are served, log assay toot partay hai appitizers per jaisay khana nahi milna. Aur ye bhi nahi kay sirf aik ya do apps hoti hai.
Mixed girll tandori chicken with kabob pieces, pakoray, samosay, dhai ballay, spring rolls… aur pata nahi kya kya hota hai.
I always bring up this discussion after desi parties and my dad always jokes and says “hum khanay peenay walli kaum hain.” 
Re: Appetizers
I'd be full if i ate one samosa!!!!!!
Ppl love appetizers but the truth is they stretch the dollar. Food/dinner or lunch cost more than the appetizers. If people fill up on appetizer and drinks they will eat less food. that's one purpose of appetizers. Second is ppl rarely arrive all at once. So it allow the ppl who arrived early to munch and socialize while waiting for the late comers. Most ppl will eat wait for vast majority to arrive for starting dinner.