1.雄牛(bull)、語源はbov(牛)、bovineを参照。またはPIE * bhel(膨らむ)、ballを参照。
2. papal bull, 法王が従属教会に発行し、封蝋(小さなボールの形)で封印した文書から、語源的にはbillと同じ。
Sais christ to ypocrites ... yee ar ... all ful with wickednes, tresun and bull. ["Cursor Mundi," early 14c.]There also was a verb bull meaning "to mock, cheat," which dates from 1530s.