"snow squall" 1828, Amer.Eng., probably from 17c. flurr "to scatter, fly with a whirring noise," perhaps from M.E. flouren "to sprinkle, as with flour." Sense of "commotion" first recorded 1710. As a verb, mid-18c. in the "commotion" sense; 1883 in the "snow" sense. Related: Flurried; flurries; flurrying.