v.
Pronunciation: ' h ō -k ə s
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: ho · cussed or ho · cused ; ho · cus · sing or ho · cus · ing
Etymology: obsolete hocus, noun, short for hocus-pocus
Date: 1675
1 : to perpetrate a trick or hoax on : DECEIVE
2 : to befuddle often with drugged liquor also : DOPE , DRUG < hocussed the favorite before the race>