[f. BALL sb.1]
1. trans. To round or swell out (the cheeks, etc.).
1593. Nashe, Christ’s T. (1613), 41. The mayden-Moone … shall haue her crimson cheeks (as they wold burst) round balled out with blood.
2. To make (snow, etc.) into a ball; to wind (thread) into a ball.
1658. A. Fox, trans. Würtz’ Surg., II. xxv. 157. Ball the bones together with your hands, as a snow-ball is made.
1856. Kane, Arct. Expl., II. ix. 95. Brooks balls off twine.
3. intr. To gather (itself) into a ball.
1713. Lond. & Country Brew., I. (1742), 26. Stirring it [malt] all the while … that it may not ball.
1814. Southey, Lett. (1856), II. 342. In clogs … snow balls under the wooden sole.
1880. Blackmore, Mary Anerley, xl. The snow would … ball wherever any softness was.
4. a. trans. To clog, b. intr. to become clogged, with balls (of snow, etc.).
1828. Webster, s.v., We say, the horse balls.
1863. J. Brown, Horæ Subs., 74. The pony stumbled through the … snow … getting its feet balled.
