Boss (?), n.; pl. Bosses (#). [OE. boce, bose, boche, OF. boce, boche, bosse, F. bosse, of G. origin; cf. OHG. bozo tuft, bunch, OHG. bozan, MHG. bozen, to beat. See Beat, and cf. Botch a swelling.]
1.
Any protuberant part; a round, swelling part or body; a knoblike process; as, a boss of wood.
2.
A protuberant ornament on any work, either of different material from that of the work or of the same, as upon a buckler or bridle; a stud; a knob; the central projection of a shield. See Umbilicus.
3. Arch.
A projecting ornament placed at the intersection of the ribs of ceilings, whether vaulted or flat, and in other situations.
4. [Cf. D. bus box, Dan. bosse.]
A wooden vessel for the mortar used in tiling or masonry, hung by a hook from the laths, or from the rounds of a ladder.
Gwilt.
5. Mech. (a)
The enlarged part of a shaft, on which a wheel is keyed, or at the end, where it is coupled to another.
(b)
A swage or die used for shaping metals.
6.
A head or reservoir of water.
[Obs.]
© Webster 1913.
Boss (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bossed (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Bossing.] [OE. bocen, fr. OF. bocier. See the preceding word.]
To ornament with bosses; to stud.
© Webster 1913.
Boss, n. [D. baas master.]
A master workman or superintendent; a director or manager; a political dictator.
[Slang, U. S.]
© Webster 1913.