'agglomerate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'agglomerare,' where 'ad-' meant 'to' and 'glomerare' meant 'to form into a ball.'

'agglomerare' transformed into the French word 'agglomérer,' and eventually became the modern English word 'agglomerate' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to form into a ball or mass,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.