Like many quirks in English, we can blame the French: https://www.etymonline.com/word/bowls#etymonline_v_32538 https://www.etymonline.com/word/bowls#etymonline

Like many quirks in English, we can blame the French: https://www.etymonline.com/word/bowls#etymonline_v_32538 https://www.etymonline.com/word/bowls#etymonline_v_32538 Boule is the modern French name for a likely similar game (I don't play either). And of course the Italians have bocce.