The term prototyping in software design refers to the iterative process of creating preliminary versions of a product to visualize and test ideas. Prototypes enable designers and developers to explore functionality, user experience, and design elements early in the development cycle. By gathering user feedback on these prototypes, teams can refine and enhance the final product based on real user interactions and needs. This reduces the risk of costly changes later in the development process and results in a more user-centric and effective software solution.