[boss] n [ME boce, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL bottia] (14c) 1 a: a protuberant part or body "a ~ of granite" "a ~ on an animal's horn" b: a raised ornamentation: stud c: an ornamental projecting block used in architecture
2: a soft pad used in ceramics and glassmaking
3: the hub of a propeller
[2]boss vt (15c) 1: to ornament with bosses: emboss
2: to treat (as the surface of porcelain) with a boss [3]boss n [D baas master] (1679) 1: a person who exercises control or authority; specif: one who directs or supervises workers
2: a politician who controls votes in a party organization or dictates appointments or legislative measures -- boss.dom n -- boss.ism n [4]boss adj (1836) slang: excellent, first-rate [5]boss vt (1856) 1: to act as boss of
2: to give usu. arbitrary orders to--usu. used with around [6]boss n [E dial., young cow] (1790): cow, calf