also: このめ
noun
leaf bud; tree bud
General term for the new buds that appear on trees in spring.
庭の木の芽がふくらみ始めた。
The leaf buds in the garden have started to swell.
木の芽を刻んで味噌と合わせると、木の芽味噌ができる。
Chopping Japanese pepper buds and mixing them with miso makes kinome miso.
Refers to the Japanese pepper tree or its ground berries (spice). 木の芽 is specifically the young leaf bud of this tree.
Compound of 木 (tree) and 芽 (bud). The reading きのめ is a straightforward kun'yomi combination; このめ is a less common variant.