bouse

¹

or bowse

[ bous, bouz ]

verb (used with object)

, Nautical.

, boused, bous·ing.

1. to haul with tackle.

bouse

²

or bowse

[ booz, bouz ]

noun

1. liquor or drink.
2. a drinking bout; carouse.

verb (used with or without object)

, boused, bous·ing.

1. to drink, especially to excess.

bouse

/ baʊz /

verb

1. tr nautical to raise or haul with a tackle

Word History and Origins

Origin of bouse¹

First recorded in 1585–95; of uncertain origin

Origin of bouse²

1250–1300; Middle English bous strong drink < Middle Dutch būsen drink to excess; booze

Word History and Origins

Origin of bouse¹

C16: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

The wandering beggar says "skimish" for drink, but city beggars say "bouse."

From Project Gutenberg

Booze, or bouse, is supposed to come from the Dutch buysen, though the word has been in use in England for some hundreds of years.

From Project Gutenberg