Etymology
From earlier leaden, ledden, leden, from Middle English leden, liden, lyden, from Old English lēoden, lȳden (“speech, language”), related to Scots leid (“language”). See leid.
Alternative etymology derives lidden from Old English hlȳd, hlȳden (“sound, noise, clamour, din”) or Old Norse hljóð (“sound, clap, roar, ringing, tone, tune”). Compare also Old English lēoþ (“song, tune, poem”).