Pronunciation: [bˈa͡ʊz] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "bowse" can be confusing because it is pronounced differently than it looks. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced as /baʊz/. This means that the first syllable is pronounced like "cow", not "go". The second syllable is pronounced like "ze". "Bowse" is a verb that means to haul or pull something, especially a sail or rope. It is commonly used in the context of sailing or nautical activities.
Bowse (also spelled browse) is a verb that has multiple meanings depending on the context.
In the context of animals and livestock, bowse refers to the act of feeding or grazing on leaves, buds, or tender young shoots of plants or trees. It is commonly used in relation to herbivores that obtain their sustenance by browsing on vegetation rather than grazing in open spaces. For instance, deer or goats are known to bowse on the foliage of bushes or shrubs.
Another application of the term bowse is in nautical contexts. Here, it refers to the action of pulling or hoisting up a sail or a spar. Sailors and marine personnel commonly use this term when describing the act of raising or adding tension to a sail by means of ropes or pulleys. Bowse is often employed in sailing maneuvers to control the sail's position and shape in response to the wind.
Overall, whether in the realm of creatures or maritime domains, bowse relates to the act of consuming or manipulating something. While in animals it pertains to feeding on vegetation, in nautical contexts it represents the action of manipulating sails or spars to adjust the sailing performance.
Among seamen, to pull or haul hard.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "bowse" has its origins in the maritime context. It is derived from the Dutch word "boegse" or "boes", which means "bowline" or "bowsprit". The term was commonly used by sailors in the 18th and 19th centuries to refer to the act of pulling or hoisting something using a rope or line attached to the bow of a ship. Over time, the word "bowse" evolved and gained a broader meaning, extending to the general act of pulling or tensioning. It is often used in nautical or sailing contexts, describing actions such as hauling or tightening lines.
