An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Ice crystals that are formed by deposition of water vapor on a relatively cold surface.
The condition that exists when the temperature of the earth’s surface and earthbound objects fall below freezing.

Etymology (EN): O.E. forst, frost “a freezing, becoming frozen, extreme cold,” from P.Gmc. *frusta- (cf. O.H.G. frost, Du. vorst), related to freosan “to freeze.”

Etymology (PE): Bašmé, from bašm “hoar-frost; dew,” variants bažm, bašk, pašak “frost; dew,” may be related to (štiyâni, Qomi dialects) bašand, vašand, vašan “rain” (vašan-sâl “rainy year”), (Lori, Laki) vašt “rain shower,” (Gurâni) wašt, wišani “rain” (Tâti Karingâni) vurasten “to rain;” Av. -varšta- “rain,” aiwi-varšta- “rained upon;” Skt. vars- “to rain,” varsá- “rain;” M.Irish frass “rain shower, torrent;” Gk. eérse “dew,” oureo “to urinate.”