† will-firen.

Etymology: Origin uncertain. Perhaps (i) a variant of wildfire n., used in a sense corresponding to needfire n. 2 on the basis of a semantic overlap between wildfire n. 2c and needfire n. 1; or perhaps (ii) < wheel n. (compare Scottish forms at that entry) + fire n., with reference to (possible) use of a wheel in the production of the fire.For the possible use of a wheel in the production of needfire, compare the following description of a ritual on the Isle of Mull in 1767:1844 in J. Grimm Deutsche Mythologie (ed. 2) I. 574 They carried to the top of Carnmoor a wheel and nine spindles of oakwood. They extinguished every fire in every house within sight of the hill; the wheel was then turned from east to west over the nine spindles long enough to produce fire by friction.