(bud) noun
1. Bot. a An undeveloped stem, branch, or shoot of a plant, with rudimentary leaves or unexpanded flowers. b The act or stage of budding.
2. Zool. A budlike projection, as in polyps, etc., developing into a new individual; also, a budlike part.
3. Any immature person or thing.
—to nip in the bud To stop in the initial stage.
—v. bud·ded, bud·ding v.t.
1. To put forth as buds.
2. To graft by inserting a bud of (a tree or plant) into the stock of another type of tree or plant.
3. To cause to bud.
—v.i.
4. To put forth buds.
5. To begin to grow or develop. [ME budde; origin uncertain]
—bud′der noun

(bud) noun U.S. Colloq.
A term of direct address to a man or boy. Also buddy. [Alter. of BROTHER]