drowse

/ˈdraʊz/

Other forms: drowsing; drowsed; drowses

To doze lightly, or nearly fall asleep, is to drowse. If you stay up too late watching scary movies, you might start to drowse the next morning in English class.

You've probably found yourself beginning to drowse when you're very sleepy or bored. You'll know you're starting to drowse when your eyelids get heavy and your mind wanders. Be careful though—if you drowse too long at the beach, you may end up with a sunburn! Drowse comes from the adjective drowsy, from an Old English root meaning "sink."

Definitions of drowse

1. verb

   sleep lightly or for a short period of time
   synonyms: doze, snooze

   type of:

   catch a wink, catnap, nap

   take a siesta
2. verb

   be on the verge of sleeping
   “The students were drowsing in the 8 AM class”

   types:

   nod

   be almost asleep

   type of:

   rest

   be at rest
3. noun

   a light fitful sleep
   synonyms: doze

   type of:

   sleeping

   the suspension of consciousness and decrease in metabolic rate