buffering
Definition:
Buffering is a term usually used in conjunction with streaming. When a large audio or video file is streamed to a computer from the Internet, the beginning portion of the audio or video file must be downloaded to the computer before it can start playing. The part of the file that has downloaded but not yet been played is referred to as the buffer.
If, while listening to the audio or watching the video, the computer uses up all of its buffer, the audio or video clip must stop playing while more content is downloaded to the buffer before audio or video playing can resume.