An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

General: A roundish projection that is part of a larger structure.
Radioastronomy: In an antenna pattern, a region of local maximum in the emitted intensity. The strongest lobe is in the pointing direction of a directional antenna and is called the main lobe.
Quasar: One of the two lobe-like structures well apart from the central source, observed
in radio images of some quasars. Same as radio lobe.

Etymology (EN): From M.L. lobus, from L.L. lobus “hull, husk, pod,” from Gk. lobos “lobe of the ear, vegetable pod,” probably related to leberis “husk of fruits;” from PIE base *lep- “to peel, flay.”

Etymology (PE): Lap “lobe,” variants lâp, lâb “piece, big piece, big cut,” lappé “split pea; any of the two parts of a timber split through the length,” maybe
cognate with Gk. lobos, as above. Alternatively, related to Pers. las “loose,” PIE *leu- “to loosen, divide, cut apart” (cf. Gk. lyein “to loosen, untie, slacken,” lysus “a loosening;” L. luere “to loose, release;” → analysis).