Sous, Souse (F. s&oomac;; colloq. Eng. sous), n.
A corrupt form of Sou.
[Obs.]
Colman, the Elder.
© Webster 1913.
Souse (?), n. [OF. sausse. See Sauce.] [Written also souce, sowce, and sowse.]
1.
Pickle made with salt.
2.
Something kept or steeped in pickle; esp., the pickled ears, feet, etc., of swine.
And he that can rear up a pig in his house,
Hath cheaper his bacon, and sweeter his souse.
Tusser.
3.
The ear; especially, a hog's ear.
[Prov. Eng.]
4.
The act of sousing; a plunging into water.
© Webster 1913.
Souse, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Soused (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Sousing.] [Cf. F. saucer to wet with sauce. See Souse pickle.]
1.
To steep in pickle; to pickle.
"A
soused gurnet."
Shak.
2.
To plunge or immerse in water or any liquid.
They soused me over head and ears in water.
Addison.
3.
To drench, as by an immersion; to wet throughly.
Although I be well soused in this shower.
Gascoigne.
© Webster 1913.
Souse, v. i. [Probably fr. OF. sors, p.p. of sordre to rise, and first used of an upward swood, then of a swoop in general, but also confused with Souse, v. t. See Source.]
To swoop or plunge, as a bird upon its prey; to fall suddenly; to rush with speed; to make a sudden attack.
For then I viewed his plunge and souse
Into the foamy main.
Marston.
Jove's bird will souse upon the timorous hare.
J. Dryden. Jr.
© Webster 1913.
Souse, v. t.
To pounce upon.
[R.]
[The gallant monarch] like eagle o'er his serie towers,
To souse annoyance that comes near his nest.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.
Souse, n.
The act of sousing, or swooping.
As a falcon fair
That once hath failed or her souse full near.
Spenser.
© Webster 1913.
Souse, adv.
With a sudden swoop; violently.
Young.
© Webster 1913.