disbud

[ dis-buhd ]

verb (used with object)

, Horticulture.

, dis·bud·ded, dis·bud·ding.

1. to remove leaf buds or shoots from (a plant) to produce a certain shape or effect.
2. to remove certain flower buds from (a plant) to improve the quality and size of the remaining flowers.
3. to dehorn (livestock) by removing the horn bud or preventing its further development.

disbud

/ diːˈbʌd; dɪsˈbʌd /

verb

1. to remove superfluous buds, flowers, or shoots from (a plant, esp a fruit tree)
2. vet science to remove the horn buds of (calves, lambs, and kids) to prevent horns growing

Word History and Origins

Origin of disbud¹

First recorded in 1715–25; dis- ¹ + bud ¹

Example Sentences

Dehorning - along with "disbudding", which removes the horn buds at an early age - is an unpleasant process with implications for animal welfare.

From BBC

And unlike most goat farmers, Putnam doesn’t disbud her goats when they’re young, so the herd comes crowned with the curved scimitars of their horns.

From Los Angeles Times

Continue the usual operations of disbudding and thinning of fruit, and take care to keep up the proper temperatures.

From Project Gutenberg

When not occupied in disbudding fruit-trees, Bullfinches are most frequently observed in tall and thick hedges, either in small flocks as described above, or in pairs.

From Project Gutenberg

Abel Carrière, another dark maroon of fine form, and Queen of the bedders, producing carmine flowers so freely that it must be disbudded; it is subject to mildew.

From Project Gutenberg