What is "will he nill he"

Nill \Nill\, v. i. To be unwilling; to refuse to act.

The actions of the will are ``velle'' and ``nolle,'' to will and nill.
--Burton.

Will he, nill he, whether he wills it or not; usually contracted to willy-nilly.

Will \Will\, v. i. To be willing; to be inclined or disposed; to be pleased; to wish; to desire.

And behold, there came a leper and worshiped him, saying, Lord if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus . . . touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean.
--Matt. viii. 2, 3.

Note: This word has been confused with will, v. i., to choose, which, unlike this, is of the weak conjugation.

Will I, nill I, or Will ye, hill ye, or Will he, nill he, whether I, you, or he will it or not; hence, without choice; compulsorily; -- commonly abbreviated to willy nilly. ``If I must take service willy nilly.''
--J. H. Newman. ``Land for all who would till it, and reading and writing will ye, nill ye.''
--Lowell.