An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

An object or weapon for throwing, hurling, or shooting. → ballistic missile.

Etymology (EN): From Fr. missile, from L. missile “weapon that can be thrown,” from missus, p.p. of mittere “to send.”

Etymology (PE): Mušak, literally “little mouse,” or “mouse like,” from a firework
explosive that was likened to a mouse, from muš, → mouse, + -ak diminutive or similarity suffix.