'hull' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'hulu', where 'hulu' meant 'husk' or 'covering'.

'hull' changed from Old English 'hulu' to Middle English 'hul(l)' and eventually became the modern English word 'hull'; the verb 'to hull' developed from the noun meaning the husk and the action of removing it.

Initially, it meant 'a husk or outer covering', but over time it also came to be used as a verb meaning 'to remove the husk' and as an adjective describing something with the husk removed.