bowssen

transitive verb

bows·​sen
ˈbau̇sᵊn
-ed/-ing/-s
in Cornwall
: to duck in water as a treatment for insanity

Word History

Etymology

modification of Cornish beuzi, bedhy, büdhy to drown, submerge; akin to Old Irish bāidim I drown (transitive), Welsh boddi to drown

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Dictionary Entries Near bowssen

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Cite this Entry

“Bowssen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bowssen. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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