Rouse

Rouse (rouz), n. [Cf. D. roes drunkeness, icel. r?ss, Sw. rus, G. rauchen, and also E. rouse, v.t., rush, v.i. Cf. Row a disturbance.] 1. A bumper in honor of a toast or health. [Obs.] Shak.

2. A carousal; a festival; a drinking frolic.

Fill the cup, and fill the can,
Have a rouse before the morn.

Rouse, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Roused (rouzd); p. pr. & vb. n. Rousing.] [Probably of Scan. origin; cf. Sw. rusa to rush, Dan. ruse, AS. hreósan to fall, rush. Cf. Rush, v.] 1. To cause to start from a covert or lurking place; as, to rouse a deer or other animal of the chase.

Like wild boars late roused out of the brakes.

Rouse the fleet hart, and cheer the opening hound.

2. To wake from sleep or repose; as, to rouse one early or suddenly.

3. To excite to lively thought or action from a state of idleness, languor, stupidity, or indifference; as, to rouse the faculties, passions, or emotions.

To rouse up a people, the most phlegmatic of any in Christendom.

4. To put in motion; to stir up; to agitate.

Blustering winds, which all night long
Had roused the sea.

5. To raise; to make erect. [Obs.] Spenser. Shak.

Rouse, v. i. 1. To get or start up; to rise. [Obs.]

Night's black agents to their preys do rouse.

2. To awake from sleep or repose.

Morpheus rouses from his bed.

3. To be exited to thought or action from a state of indolence or inattention.

Rouse (rouz or rous), v. i. & t. [Perhaps the same word as rouse to start up, "buckle to."] (Naut.) To pull or haul strongly and all together, as upon a rope, without the assistance of mechanical appliances.