An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Geometry: Of a curve, to touch another curve so as to have the same tangent and curvature at the point of contact.

Etymology (EN): From L. osculatum p.p. of osculari “to kiss,” from osculum “kiss,” literally “little mouth,” diminutive of os “mouth;” PIE *os-/*ous- “mouth;” cf. Av. āh- “mouth;” Skt. ās-, āsán- “mouth;” Hittite aiš- “mouth;” O.Ir. á “mouth;” O.N. oss “mouth.”

Etymology (PE): Âbusidan, from â- a nuance prefix + busidan “to kiss,” related to buyidan “to smell,” buy “smell, scent;” Mid.Pers. bôy, bôd “smell, scent; consciousness,” bôyidan “to smell,” Mod./Mid.Pers. bustân “garden,” Parthian (prefixed *pati-) pdbws- “to desire; to hope for;” Av. baod- “to perceive, notice, become aware of; to smell of,” baoδi- “smell, fragrance,” baozdri- “who gets to know sexually;”
cf. Skt. bodh- “to wake, awaken; to perceive, pay attention,” Buddha “awakened, enlightened;” Gk. peuthomai “to learn, hear;” Lith. budeti “to wake;” O.C.S. bljusti “to take care;” PIE base *bheudh- “to be aware, to make aware.”