Definition
To move, or to change position. It can refer to a person, an object, or even a situation changing.
Example
Les enfants bougent tout le temps à la maison.
The children move around all the time at home.
Etymology
From Old French *bougier*, derived from Vulgar Latin *bullicare* ("to bubble, to boil"), a frequentative of Latin *bullire*. The semantic shift from "to bubble/seethe" to "to stir/move" happened naturally through the image of agitated, restless motion.
Cultural note
In everyday French, *bouger* is often preferred over the more formal *se déplacer* ("to travel/move around") or *remuer* ("to stir"). It also carries a figurative sense — *les choses bougent* ("things are moving/changing") is a common expression in news and politics. Watch out for English false friends: "to move house" in French is *déménager*, not *bouger*.