Middle English, from Old English gealla; akin to Greek cholē, cholos gall, wrath, Old English geolu yellow — more at yellow
Date:
before 12th century
1 a:bile; especially: bile obtained from an animal and used in the arts or medicineb: something bitter to endurec: bitterness of spirit :rancor2: brazen boldness coupled with impudent assurance and insolence