bowse 1[bous, bouz] Examples verb (used with object), bowsed, bows·ing. Nautical.
bowse 2[booz, bouz] noun, verb (used with or without object), bowsed, bows·ing.
bouse 1or bowse [bous, bouz] verb (used with object), boused, bous·ing. Nautical.
- to haul with tackle.
Origin of bouse 1First recorded in 1585–95; of uncertain origin bouse 2or bowse [booz, bouz] noun
- liquor or drink.
- a drinking bout; carouse.
verb (used with or without object), boused, bous·ing.
- to drink, especially to excess.
Origin of bouse 2 1250–1300; Middle English bous strong drink Middle Dutch būsen drink to excess; cf. booze Examples from the Web for bowse Historical Examples of bowse
“I see something which has a sail, though,” exclaimed Bowse.
The Pirate of the Mediterranean
W.H.G. Kingston
“I would rather we could catch her again with a few of them in her,” observed Bowse.
The Pirate of the Mediterranean
W.H.G. Kingston
“And you,” said Zappa, in the same patois, turning to Bowse.
The Pirate of the Mediterranean
W.H.G. Kingston
Bowse repeated the question, in the lingua Franca of those seas.
The Pirate of the Mediterranean
W.H.G. Kingston
“No, miss, the cold—the night air may do you harm,” rejoined Bowse.
The Pirate of the Mediterranean
W.H.G. Kingston
British Dictionary definitions for bowse bowse verb
- a variant spelling of bouse
bouse bowse verb
- (tr) nautical to raise or haul with a tackle
Word Origin for bouse C16: of unknown origin