How to use buildroot cross toolchain to port automake application

[NeilAlexander]

I am very inexperienced would like some advice.

I want to port an application that is structured for building with automake.

I have a tree with the application, and a separate buildroot tree. I do not want to add the application to the buildroot tree yet.

I have seen the buildroot documentation which describes how to use the cross compiler for a simple application, but I don't think this will work for me.

Please advise how I can use the cross toolchain to buld the application for my embedded system.

Thanks an advance for your help,
Neil