v. 1 a tr. (often foll. by from, out of) bring out of sleep, wake. b intr. (often foll. by up) cease to sleep, wake up. 2 (often foll. by up) a tr. stir up, make active or excited, startle out of inactivity or confidence or carelessness (roused them from their complacency; was roused to protest). b intr. become active. 3 tr. provoke to anger (is terrible when roused). 4 tr. evoke (feelings). 5 tr. (usu. foll. by in, out, up) Naut. haul vigorously. 6 tr. startle (game) from a lair or cover. 7 tr. stir (liquid, esp. beer while brewing). rouse oneself overcome one's indolence. rousable adj. rouser n.
[ orig. as a hawking and hunting term, so prob. f. AF: orig. unkn. ]