v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Roused 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Like wild boars late roused out of the brakes. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

Rouse the fleet hart, and cheer the opening hound. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To wake from sleep or repose; as, to rouse one early or suddenly. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

To rouse up a people, the most phlegmatic of any in Christendom. Atterbury. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To put in motion; to stir up; to agitate. [ 1913 Webster ]

Blustering winds, which all night long
Had roused the sea. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To raise; to make erect. [ Obs. ] Spenser. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To get or start up; to rise. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Night's black agents to their preys do rouse. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To awake from sleep or repose. [ 1913 Webster ]

Morpheus rouses from his bed. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To be exited to thought or action from a state of indolence or inattention. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. D. roes drunkeness, icel. rūss, 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A carousal; a festival; a drinking frolic. [ 1913 Webster ]

Fill the cup, and fill the can,
Have a rouse before the morn. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who, or that which, rouses. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Something very exciting or great. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Brewing) A stirrer in a copper for boiling wort. [ 1913 Webster ]