1. (n.) A small protuberance on the stem or branches of a plant, containing the rudiments of future leaves, flowers, or stems; an undeveloped branch or flower.

2. (n.) A small protuberance on certain low forms of animals and vegetables which develops into a new organism, either free or attached. See Hydra.

3. (v. i.) To put forth or produce buds, as a plant; to grow, as a bud does, into a flower or shoot.

4. (v. i.) To begin to grow, or to issue from a stock in the manner of a bud, as a horn.

5. (v. i.) To be like a bud in respect to youth and freshness, or growth and promise; as, a budding virgin.

6. (v. t.) To graft, as a plant with another or into another, by inserting a bud from the one into an opening in the bark of the other, in order to raise, upon the budded stock, fruit different from that which it would naturally bear.