An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Bulge

by Friedrich Kluge

Bulge (Swiss, also Bulgge), f., ‘leather water-pail,’ from MidHG. bulge, OHG. bulga, ‘leather bag’; MidE. and E. bilğe, bulğe, from *bylčğe. The cognates are allied to Balg (Goth. balgs, ‘leather bottle, bag’), MidLat. bulga.