a swelling on a plant stem consisting of overlapping immature leaves or petals
source: WordNet 3.0
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.
source: Webster 1913
verb
develop buds
The hibiscus is budding!.
source: WordNet 3.0
start to grow or develop
A budding friendship.
source: WordNet 3.0
To put forth or produce buds, as a plant; to grow, as a bud does, into a flower or shoot.
source: Webster 1913
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.