bouse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Archaic/ObsoleteArchaic, Literary, Nautical (regional for 'bowse')
Quick answer
What does “bouse” mean?
(verb, archaic) To drink deeply or to excess.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
(verb, archaic) To drink deeply or to excess.
1. To drink large quantities of alcohol, especially in a festive or riotous manner. 2. To pull or hoist something (nautical, also spelled 'bowse').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No modern difference in general usage, as the term is obsolete. The nautical variant 'bowse' is understood in sailing communities in both regions.
Connotations
Historical/antiquated; if used today, it would be intentionally archaic for stylistic effect.
Frequency
Effectively zero frequency in contemporary corpora for both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “bouse” in a Sentence
[Subject] + bouse + (on/at) + [Object (alcoholic beverage)][Subject (sailor)] + bouse + [Object (rope, sail)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bouse” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The sailors would bouse on grog after a long voyage.
- We had to bouse on the topsail halyard to set it properly.
American English
- In the old tale, the knights would bouse at the king's table.
- Bowse that line down tight before securing it.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical/literary analysis.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Possible in niche nautical instructions (as 'bowse').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bouse”
- Misspelling as 'bowse' (when meaning 'drink').
- Using in modern contexts expecting comprehension.
- Confusing it with 'booze' (though semantically related).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is archaic. It appears in dictionaries as an obsolete verb meaning 'to drink heavily'.
You could, but it would sound very odd or pretentious, as no native speaker uses it actively. It would require explanation.
They are etymologically related, both deriving from the Middle Dutch 'būsen' (to drink to excess). 'Booze' survived into modern slang, while 'bouse' did not.
In nautical contexts, 'bowse' (to haul/pull) is a distinct variant. For drinking, 'bouse' is the standard historical spelling, though they share an origin in the idea of 'pulling' or 'drawing' (drink).
(verb, archaic) To drink deeply or to excess.
Bouse is usually archaic, literary, nautical (regional for 'bowse') in register.
Bouse: in British English it is pronounced /baʊz/, and in American English it is pronounced /baʊz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific. Historical: 'to bouse about' meaning to revel noisily.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'The BOYS at the HOUSE decided to BOUSE (drink heavily).'
Conceptual Metaphor
DRINKING IS A PHYSICAL FORCE (pulling one down, as in 'hauling' drink).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary modern status of the word 'bouse' (meaning to drink)?