1. Short and slang for the early computing term, bootstrap loader. To start up or reset a computer. When a computer is booted, a bootstrap routine is automatically executed that looks for and loads the operating system. A cold boot is when the computer is powered up from an off state. A warm boot occurs when an already turned on computer is re-booted.

2. A process by which a short loader program loads itself into memory and then loads a longer program. The program brings itself into a desired state through its own action. This can be in a computer or other CPU controlled device, usually call an intelligent device. It is the startup process.