Meaning

noun a mechanical device that blows a strong current of air; used to make a fire burn more fiercely or to sound a musical instrument

noun a very loud utterance (like the sound of an animal)

noun United States author (born in Canada) whose novels influenced American literature after World War II (1915-2005)

originFrom Middle English belwes, plural of belu, belwe, a northern form of beli, from Old English bæliġ, northern form of bielġ, from Proto-Germanic *balgiz. Compare German Balg. See also belly. For the pronunciation /ˈbɛl.əs/, compare bodice, gallows.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0