1. to drink heavily or excessively; to carouse
Usage: informal; archaic
2. to haul or pull with force, especially using a rope or tackle
Usage: nautical; archaic

Examples

• The sailors would bowse and sing late into the night after a successful voyage.
• He spent the evening bowsing with his friends at the tavern.
• The crew had to bowse the heavy cargo aboard the ship.
• They bowsed the rope tight to secure the mast.
• In old nautical terms, to bowse meant to pull hard on the rigging.