type of fungus, 1640s, from puff + ball (n.1). So called for discharging a cloud of spores when disturbed.

also kickball, children's game, 1854; see kick (v.) + ball (n.1).

also ballclub, "association of players of a ball game," 1845, from ball (n.1) + club (n.) in the "social organization" sense.

also cannon ball, "iron ball to be shot from a cannon," 1660s, from cannon (n.) + ball (n.1). Earlier in this sense was cannon-shot (1590s). As a type of dive, from 1905.

1874, "method of lessening friction by surrounding a shaft with loose balls;" see ball (n.1) + bearing (n.). They "bear" the friction.

"ivory ball used in the game of pool," by 1871, from pool (n.2) + ball (n.1).

"a kick of a ball previously placed on the ground," 1845, originally in rugby, from place + kick (n.). As a verb by 1856. Related: Place-kicking.

1864, originally in rugby, where the ball is literally touched down on the other side of the goal, from verbal phrase (by 1859 in sports), from touch (v.) + down (adv.). As "landing of an aircraft" from 1935.

"to kick a ball dropped from the hands before it hits the ground," 1845, first in a Rugby list of football rules, of obscure origin; perhaps from dialectal punt "to push, strike," alteration of Midlands dialect bunt "to push, butt with the head," of unknown origin, perhaps echoic (compare bunt).

Student slang meaning "give up, drop a course so as not to fail," 1970s, is because a U.S. football team punts when it cannot advance the ball. Related: Punted; punting.

late 15c., "a battle," a sense now obsolete, an alteration of skirmish (n.). Sometimes also scrummage, scrimish (16c.). By 1780 as "a confused contest, a tussle;" the meaning in rugby and U.S. football dates from 1857, originally "a confused, close struggle around the ball between players." The sense of "a practice session in which offensive and defensive squads square off" is by 1916.