1793 (implied in
gullibility), earlier
cullibility (1728), probably connected to
gull, a cant term for "dupe, sucker" (1594), which is of uncertain origin. It is perhaps from the bird (see
gull (n.)), or from verb
gull "to swallow" (1530, from O.Fr.
goule, from L.
gula "throat," see
gullet); in either case with a sense of "someone who will swallow anything thrown at him." Another possibility is M.E. dial.
gull "newly hatched bird" (1382), which is perhaps from O.N.
golr "yellow," from the hue of its down.
[guhl-uh-buh
l] 