Definition of the word gully

The word "gully" originates from the Old English word "gyll", which referred to a stream or ditch. This word was borrowed by the Old Norse language and was adopted by the Anglo-Saxons, who settled in England after the Norman Conquest. The Anglo-Saxon form of the word was "gyl", which evolved into "gill" in Middle English. The spelling of the word changed to "gulle" or "golle" in the 15th century due to the influence of the French language, but it eventually reverted back to its original spelling: "gully". The word "gully" today refers to a narrow, deep ravine or channel in the ground, typically caused by erosion. This meaning was likely developed from the original usage as a stream or ditch, as gullies are often found forming in low-lying areas where water runoff occurs. The etymological history of the word "gully" is a testament to the complex web of linguistic borrowing and evolution that has contributed to the English language over time.