also moth-ball, moth ball, "naphthalene ball stored among fabrics to keep off moths," 1891, from moth + ball (n.1).
mothball (v.)
1902 in a literal sense (to store away with mothballs), from mothball (n.); figurative sense from 1901.
mot
mote
motel
motet
moth
mothball
mother
Mother Goose
Mother Hubbard
mother of pearl
motherfucker
