early 15c., a shoemaker's term, perhaps related to Middle English welten "to overturn, roll over" (c. 1300), from Old Norse velta "to roll" (related to welter (v.)). Meaning "ridge on the skin from a wound" is first recorded 1800.
welt the shoes
well-spoken
wellspring
well-wisher
Welsh
Welshman
welt
weltanschauung
welter
welterweight
weltschmerz
*wen-