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).
Phrases and idioms:
rouse oneself overcome one's indolence.
Derivatives:
rousable adj. rouser n.
Etymology: orig. as a hawking and hunting term, so prob. f. AF: orig. unkn.