O.E.
deofol "evil spirit," from L.L.
diabolus, from Gk.
diabolos "accuser, slanderer" (scriptural loan-translation of Heb.
satan), from
diaballein "to slander, attack," lit. "throw across," from
dia- "across, through" +
ballein "to throw." Jerome re-introduced
Satan in L. bibles, and Eng. translators have used both in different measures. In Vulgate, as in Gk.,
diabolus and
dæmon (see
demon) were distinct, but they have merged in Eng. and other Gmc. languages. Playful use for "clever rogue" is from 1601. Meaning "sand spout, dust storm" is from 1835.
Devilry is from 1375;
deviltry (1788) is a corrupt formation from it.
Devilled "grilled with hot condiments" is from 1800. The
Tasmanian devil so called since at least 1829, from its propensity for killing young lambs (other voracious fish or animals have also been named
devil). Phrase
a devil way (c.1290) was originally an emphatic form of
away, but taken by late 14c. as an expression of irritation.
Devil's advocate (1760) is L.
advocatus diaboli, one whose job it is to urge against the canonization of a candidate for sainthood.
Devil-may-care is attested from 1837 (but suggested in other forms by 1793).
Devil's books "playing cards" is from 1729, but the cited quote says they've been called that "time out of mind" (the four of clubs is
the devil's bedposts);
devil's coach-horse is from 1840, the large rove-beetle, which is defiant when disturbed. "Talk of the Devil, and he's presently at your elbow" [1666].
[dev-uh
l] 
noun, verb, -iled, -il⋅ing or (especially British