From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Boss \Boss\ (b[o^]s; 115), n.; pl. {Bosses} (-[e^]z). [OE. boce,
bose, boche, OF. boce, boche, bosse, F. bosse, of G. origin;
cf. OHG. b[=o]zo tuft, bunch, OHG. b[=o]zan, MHG. b[^o]zen,
to beat. See {Beat}, and cf. {Botch} a swelling.]
1. Any protuberant part; a round, swelling part or body; a
knoblike process; as, a boss of wood.
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2. A protuberant ornament on any work, either of different
material from that of the work or of the same, as upon a
buckler or bridle; a stud; a knob; the central projection
of a shield. See {Umbilicus}.
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3. (Arch.) A projecting ornament placed at the intersection
of the ribs of ceilings, whether vaulted or flat, and in
other situations.
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4. [Cf. D. bus box, Dan. b["o]sse.] A wooden vessel for the
mortar used in tiling or masonry, hung by a hook from the
laths, or from the rounds of a ladder. --Gwilt.
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5. (Mech.)
(a) The enlarged part of a shaft, on which a wheel is
keyed, or at the end, where it is coupled to another.
(b) A swage or die used for shaping metals.
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6. A head or reservoir of water. [Obs.]
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