bouse

¹ American  

[bous, bouz] / baʊs, baʊz /

Or bowse

verb (used with object)

Nautical.

boused, bousing

1. to haul with tackle.

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bouse ² American  

[booz, bouz] / buz, baʊz /

Or bowse

noun

1. liquor or drink.

2. a drinking bout; carouse.

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verb (used with or without object)

boused, bousing

1. to drink, especially to excess.

bouse British  

/ baʊz /

verb

1. (tr) nautical to raise or haul with a tackle

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Etymology

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; cf. booze

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bouse boused bousing

A bacon bouse of two-score ribs, A wattling of tripe—support of clans— Of every food pleasant to man, Meseemed the whole was gathered there.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

Just a month ago, he’d noticed he was missing money and lectured Cheryl: Stop bringing your friends into my bouse if they’re going to be stealing my stuff!

From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore

J cutt it is quyer bouse J bousd a flagge the laste darkemans.

From Microcosmography or, a Piece of the World Discovered; in Essays and Characters by Earle, John

Why, where is the kene that hath the bene bouse? where is the house that hath good drinke?

From The Rogues and Vagabonds of Shakespeare's Youth Awdeley's 'Fraternitye of vacabondes' and Harman's 'Caveat' by Awdeley, John

So hoorar for the salt sea, mate, and bouse up!

From The Letters of Charles Dickens Vol. 1, 1833-1856 by Hogarth, Georgina

I saw them running, like mice, up the shrouds, as they boused up the mainsail, and heard them chaunt a cheering chorus, as they heaved in the slack of the cable.

From A Yacht Voyage to Norway, Denmark, and Sweden 2nd edition by Ross, William A.

"The younkers are the young men called fore-mast men, to take in the top-sailes, or top and yard, for furling the sailes, or slinging the yards, bousing or trising, and take their turnes at helme."

From Notes and Queries, Number 21, March 23, 1850 by Various