bud
I
 /ˈbʌd/  noun  ,  pl   buds [  count  ]
  1 : a small part that grows on a plant and develops into a flower, leaf, or new branch
   The bush has plenty of buds but no flowers yet.
   flower buds
  ◇ If a plant is in bud it is beginning to grow buds.
   The trees are in bud [=budding] now.
  2 US, informal : buddy, 1
   Hey, bud [=pal], how's it going?
  nip (something) in the bud — see nip, 1
 — see also cotton bud, taste bud
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II
  verb  , buds, bud·ded, bud·ding [  no obj  ]
  : to produce buds
   The trees budded early this spring.