1828, short for vole-mouse (1805, in an Orkneys book), literally "field-mouse," with first element probably from Old Norse völlr "field," from Proto-Germanic *walthuz (source also of Icelandic völlr, Swedish vall "field," Old English weald; see wold).
volatile
volatility
volcanic
volcanism
volcano
vole
volition
volkslied
volley
volleyball
Volstead