An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

An unusually strong wind.

Etymology (EN): Gale, from gaile “wind,” origin uncertain, perhaps from O.N. gol “breeze,” or O.Dan. gal “bad, furious.”

Etymology (PE): Tondbâb “gale,” from tond “swift, rapid, brisk; fierce, severe,” Mid.Pers. tund “sharp, violent;” Sogdian tund “violent;” cf. Skt. tod- “to thrust, give a push,” tudáti “he thrusts;” L. tundere “to thrust, to hit” (Fr. percer, E. pierce, ultimately from L. pertusus, from p.p. of pertundere “to thrust or bore through,” from per- + tundere, as explained); PIE base *(s)teud- “to thrust, to beat” + bâd, → wind.