The word "biltine" has Irish Gaelic origins. It comes from the Irish phrase "Bealtaine", which means "bright fire". "Bealtaine" is derived from the Old Irish word "belten(e)" or "belatane", which is believed to have originated from the proto-Celtic word "belo-te(p)niā". The word is associated with the Celtic festival of Bealtaine (also known as Beltane), which is celebrated on the first of May, marking the beginning of summer in the Gaelic calendar.