v. & n. Brit. sl.
--v.intr. (often foll. by down) sleep, esp. roughly or in cheap lodgings.
--n. a bed, esp. in cheap lodgings.
Phrases and idioms:
doss-house a cheap lodging-house, esp. for vagrants.
Etymology: prob. doss ornamental covering for a seat-back etc. f. OF dos ult. f. L dorsum back