What is the origin of snowball?

The term "snowball" originates from the combination of "snow," which refers to frozen precipitation, and "ball," indicating a spherical shape. Historically, snowballs were made by compacting snow into a ball, often for recreational purposes like snowball fights. The concept has also evolved metaphorically, symbolizing situations that grow rapidly, as in the "snowball effect." The Word itself has been used in English since at least the 17th century.