sully

/ˈsə-lē/

Middle English *sullien, probably alteration (influenced by Anglo-French suillier, soiller to soil) of sulen to soil, from Old English sylian

verb

  1. to make soiled or tarnished : defile

noun

  1. soil, stain

biographical name

  1. Duc de 1560—1641 Maximilien de Béthune Baronde Rosny French statesman