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bowse. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
bowse, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
bowse in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
bowse you have here. The definition of the word
bowse will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
bowse, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Alternative forms
Etymology 1
From Middle English bousen, from Middle Dutch būsen, buisen, buysen (“to drink heavily”) (Dutch buizen). Related to Middle High German būsen (“to swell, inblow”). More at beer.
Verb
bowse (third-person singular simple present bowses, present participle bowsing, simple past and past participle bowsed)
- (archaic) To drink excessively and socially; to carouse.
1820, John Keats, “Lines on the Mermaid Tavern”, in Lamia, Isabella, the Eve of St. Agnes, and Other Poems, London: [Thomas Davison] for Taylor and Hessey, , →OCLC, page 131:O generous food!
Drest as though bold Robin Hood,
Would, with his maid Marian,
Sup and bowse from horn and can.
Noun
bowse (plural bowses)
- A carouse; a drinking bout; a booze.
Derived terms
Etymology 2
Origin unknown.
Verb
bowse (third-person singular simple present bowses, present participle bowsing, simple past and past participle bowsed)
- (nautical) To haul or hoist (something) with a tackle.
Anagrams