English word boss comes from Proto-Germanic *baswǭ, Proto-Germanic *baswōn, and later Proto-Germanic *baswô (Kinsman. Uncle, eam.)
You can also see our other etymologies for the English word boss. Currently you are viewing the etymology of boss with the meaning: (Adjective Verb Noun) (slang, American, Canadian, Liverpool) Of excellent quality, first-rate. (transitive) To exercise authoritative control over; to tell (someone) what to do, often repeatedly. (humorous) Wife.. [...](slang, American, Canadian, Liverpool) Of excellent quality, first-rate. (transitive) To exercise authoritative control over; to tell (someone) what to do, often repeatedly. (humorous) Wife.. [...]
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| *baswǭ | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | |
| *baswōn | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | |
| *baswô | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | Kinsman. Uncle, eam. |
| *baso | Old Dutch (odt) | |
| baes | Middle Dutch (dum) | |
| baas | Dutch (nld) | (Belgium) strong or tough guy. (diminutive: baasje) fellow, boy, especially a youngling or novice. (figuratively) crack, master, expert at something. (figuratively) whopper, large one in its kind. (video gaming) boss. Boss, chief, superior. Employer, manager. |
| boss | English (eng) | (slang, American, Canadian, Liverpool) Of excellent quality, first-rate. (transitive) To exercise authoritative control over; to tell (someone) what to do, often repeatedly. (humorous) Wife.. (informal, especially, India) A term of address to a man.. (video games) An enemy, often at the end of a level, that is particularly challenging and must be beaten in order to progress.. A leader, the [...] |