'balestra' originates from Italian, specifically the word 'balestra', where 'balestra' meant 'crossbow'.

'balestra' changed from Medieval Latin and Latin words such as 'balista' / 'ballista', ultimately from Greek roots related to 'ballo'/'ballein' (to throw), and entered English via borrowing from Italian.

Initially it referred to a missile-throwing engine or crossbow; over time the term was also applied metaphorically in fencing to a forward springing movement (the modern specialized sense).