'bolide' originates from the French word 'bolide', which in turn comes from the Latin word 'bolis', meaning 'missile' or 'projectile'.

'bolis' transformed into the French word 'bolide', and eventually became the modern English word 'bolide'.

Initially, it meant 'missile' or 'projectile', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a large meteor that explodes in the atmosphere'.