noun

1. the thick end of anything, as of a whip handle, rifle stock, etc.
2. the remaining end of anything; stub; stump; specif., the stub of a smoked cigarette or cigar

3. 1. Etymology: ? infl. by Fr butte, mound < OFr buter

      a mound of earth, bales of straw, etc. behind a target, for receiving fired rounds or shot arrows
   2. a target
   3. a target range
4. a hole in the ground used as a blind by hunters of fowl
5. an object of ridicule or criticism
6. Slang a cigarette
7. Informal the buttocks
8. Obsolete
   1. a limit
   2. a goal
9. Tanning the part of a hide or pelt that covered the animal's backside

Etymology: < several bases, variously confused in E or Fr: ME but, butte, thick end, ? akin to ON būtr, block of wood, Du bot, stumpy, stocky, or ? < OFr bout, end < buter (see butt); ME but, target, boundary < MFr bout, aim, goal, < abuter, to aim < à, at (< L ad) + but, goal (< ?)

transitive verb, intransitive verb