[mbrubeck]

Note that the English word was derived from Old French, not Modern French. And Old French noun boton/bouton (”bud”) is itself formed from the Old French verb boter/bouter, “to thrust.” It’s had a variety of meanings in French generally related to ”thing that pushes out.”

Google Translate is not a very complete dictionary. You can find many more definitions in Trésor de la langue française informatisé :

https://www.cnrtl.fr/definition/bouton

It means “projection” in the sense of ”bit that sticks out,” like its use in goldsmithing or for the foot at the bottom of a harp.

[pessimizer]

> It means “projection” in the sense of ”bit that sticks out,”

And it also means that in English.

[mbrubeck]

(minor correction: the pegs of a harp, not the foot.)