Drowse has the etymological history Probably from Old English 'drūsian' ('to sink, become slow or languid'), of Germanic origin; the modern verb appears in the 16th century. The immediate etymological form is Old English drūsian. In present use as verb and noun, it means "to be half asleep; to doze", keeping the historical formation close to the word's ordinary semantic work. Related words include drowsy; derived forms include drowsy and drowsiness. Its contrast set includes wake and rouse, which clarifies the semantic boundary of the modern word.