O.E. byht "bend, angle, corner" (related to bow), from P.Gmc. *buhtiz (cf. M.L.G. bucht, Ger. Bucht, Du. bocht, Dan. bught), from PIE base *bheug- "to bend" (cf. O.E. beag, O.H.G. boug "ring;" see bow (v.)). Sense of "indentation on a coastline" is from late 15c.
