- mull (v.1)
- "ponder," 1873, perhaps ult. from M.E. mullyn "grind to powder, pulverize," from molle "dust, ashes, rubbish," probably from M.Du. mul "grit, loose earth," related to mill. But Webster's (1879) defined it as "to work steadily without accomplishing much," which may connect it to earlier identical word in athletics sense of "to botch, muff" (1862). Related: Mulled; mulling.
- mull (v.2)
- "sweeten, spice and heat a drink," c.1600, perhaps from Du. mol, a kind of white, sweet beer, or from Flem. molle a kind of beer. Related: Mulled; mulling.
- mull (n.)
- "promontory" (in Scottish place names), late 14c., perhaps from O.N. muli "a jutting crag, projecting ridge (between two valleys)," which probably is identical with muli "snout, muzzle." The O.N. word is related to O.Fris. mula, M.Du. mule, muul, O.H.G. mula, Ger. Maul "muzzle, mouth." Alternative etymology traces it to Gael. maol "brow of a hill or rock," also "bald," from O.Celt. *mailo-s (cf. Ir. maol, O.Ir. máel, máil, Welsh moel).