mid 16th cent.: probably from Middle Dutch boele 'lover'. Original use was as a term of endearment applied to either sex; it later became a familiar form of address to a male friend. The current sense dates from the late 17th centlate 16th cent. (originally used of a person, meaning 'admirable, gallant, jolly'): from bully The current sense dates from the mid 19th centlate 19th cent. (originally denoting a scrum in Eton football): of unknown originmid 18th cent.: alteration of bouilli