Derived from the verb gult (“to lie down”) (q.v.; cf. also its originally iterative-durative form gulēt (“to lie; to sleep”)). From the original meaning of gult (“to bend”), its participle gults indicated a “bent” or “dug in” place, probably via the meaning of animal sleeping places, which are often dug on the ground. Cognates include Lithuanian gùlta (“place to lie down”), gùltas (“sleeping place; sleeping boards; lake valley”).