'ballate' originates from Italian, specifically the word 'ballata', where 'ballare' meant 'to dance'.

'ballata' comes from medieval Italian (ballata), ultimately from Late Latin/Italian 'ballare' (to dance), which is related to Greek roots for dancing; the Italian form entered English usage as a loanword describing the poetic/musical form, with the Italian plural 'ballate' used unchanged.

Initially it meant 'dance' or 'dancing song' in Italian contexts; over time in English use it has come to refer specifically to the medieval Italian poetic/musical form (the dance-song) and its plural manifestations.