Drowse (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Drowsed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Drowsing.] [AS. dr&?;sian, dr&?;san, to sink,
become slow or inactive; cf. OD. droosen to be sleepy, fall
asleep, LG. dr&?;sen, druusken, to slumber, fall down
with a noise; prob, akin to AS. dreósan to fall. See
Dreary.] To sleep imperfectly or unsoundly; to slumber;
to be heavy with sleepiness; to doze. "He drowsed upon
his couch." South.
In the pool drowsed the cattle up to their
knees.
Lowell.
Drowse, v. t. To make heavy with
sleepiness or imperfect sleep; to make dull or stupid.
Milton.
Drowse, n. A slight or imperfect
sleep; a doze.
But smiled on in a drowse of
ecstasy.
Mrs. Browning.
