From Middle English burly, burely, borly, burlich, borlich, borlic, of uncertain origin. Cognate with Scots burely, burly. Perhaps from Old English *būrlīċ ("noble, stately"), equivalent to bower + -ly; or from Old English *byrlīċ ("high, raised"), from byre, cognate with Old High German burlīh, purlīh, related to Old High German burjan ("to raise, lift, push up"). See burgeon.