bou·tade \büˈtäd\noun (-s) Etymology: French, from Middle French, from bouter to thrust + -ade — more at butt 1. a.: an outbreak or burst especially of temper b.: caprice, whim < no need to take his little boutades seriously > 2. a.: an 18th century French dance of impromptu character b.: an instrumental musical composition similar to the Italian capriccio in an impromptu fanciful style