bulge

Meanings

Noun

• Something sticking out from a surface; a swelling, protuberant part; a bending outward, especially when caused by pressure.
• The bilge or protuberant part of a cask.
• The bilge of a vessel.
• The outline of male genitals visible through clothing.
• A sudden rise in value or quantity.

Verb

• To stick out from (a surface).
• To bilge, as a ship; to founder.

Origin

• From Middle English bulge, from Old Northern French boulge, from Late Latin bulga, from Gaulish *bulga, *bulgos, from Proto-Celtic *bolgos. Cognate with bilge, belly, bellows, budget, French bouge, German Balg, etc. budge. See also budget.