Word Origin & History
yellO.E. gellan (Mercian), giellan (W.Saxon), class III strong verb (past tense geal, pp. gollen), from P.Gmc. *gelnanan (cf. O.N. gjalla "to resound," M.Du. ghellen, Du. gillen, O.H.G. gellan, Ger. gellen "to yell"), extended form of root of O.E. galan "to sing" (source of the -gale in
nightingale); from PIE *ghel- "to cry out, shout, sing." The noun is late 14c., originally in Scottish, from the verb.