1570s, from Latin conglomeratus, past participle of conglomerare "to roll together," from com- "together" (see com-) + glomerare "to gather into a ball," from glomus (genitive glomeris) "a ball," from PIE root *glem-.

"large business group," 1967, from conglomerate, adj..

1590s, from Latin conglomeratus, past participle of conglomerare (see conglomerate, adj.). Related: Conglomerated; conglomerating.