'ballottine' originates from French, specifically the word 'ballotine', where 'ballot-' meant 'bundle' (a small wrapped package).

'ballottine' came into English from French culinary usage in the 19th century as 'ballotine' (sometimes spelled 'ballottine' in English) and was adopted to mean the French prepared meat roll.

Initially it meant 'a small bundle' (a package), but over time it evolved into the culinary sense of 'a stuffed, rolled piece of meat.'