pro·tu·ber·ance \prō.ˈt(y)üb(ə)rən(t)s\noun (-s) Etymology: Late Latin protuberare to bulge out + English -ance 1.: the quality or state of being protuberant < lessen the protuberance of an underjaw by an operation > 2.: something that is protuberant : protrusion, bulge < a protuberance on the forehead > < a cancerous protuberance >