Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Rouse \Rouse\ (rouz or rous), v. i. & t. [Perhaps the same word
   as rouse to start up, ``buckle to.''] (Naut.)
   To pull or haul strongly and all together, as upon a rope,
   without the assistance of mechanical appliances.

Rouse \Rouse\ (rouz), n. [Cf. D. roes drunkeness, icel. r?ss,
   Sw. rus, G. rauchen, and also E. rouse, v.t., rush, v.i. Cf.
   {Row} a disturbance.]
   1. A bumper in honor of a toast or health. [Obs.] --Shak.

   2. A carousal; a festival; a drinking frolic.

            Fill the cup, and fill the can, Have a rouse before
            the morn.                             --Tennyson.

Rouse \Rouse\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Roused} (rouzd); p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Rousing}.] [Probably of Scan. origin; cf. Sw. rusa to
   rush, Dan. ruse, AS. hre['o]san to fall, rush. Cf. {Rush},
   v.]
   1. To cause to start from a covert or lurking place; as, to
      rouse a deer or other animal of the chase.

            Like wild boars late roused out of the brakes.
                                                  --Spenser.

            Rouse the fleet hart, and cheer the opening hound.
                                                  --Pope.

   2. To wake from sleep or repose; as, to rouse one early or
      suddenly.

   3. To excite to lively thought or action from a state of
      idleness, languor, stupidity, or indifference; as, to
      rouse the faculties, passions, or emotions.

            To rouse up a people, the most phlegmatic of any in
            Christendom.                          --Atterbury.

   4. To put in motion; to stir up; to agitate.

            Blustering winds, which all night long Had roused
            the sea.                              --Milton.

   5. To raise; to make erect. [Obs.] --Spenser. Shak.

Rouse \Rouse\, v. i.
   1. To get or start up; to rise. [Obs.]

            Night's black agents to their preys do rouse.
                                                  --Shak.

   2. To awake from sleep or repose.

            Morpheus rouses from his bed.         --Pope.

   3. To be exited to thought or action from a state of
      indolence or inattention.

Source : WordNet®

rouse
     v 1: become active; "He finally bestirred himself" [syn: {bestir}]
     2: force or drive out; "The police routed them out of bed at 2
        A.M." [syn: {rout out}, {drive out}, {force out}]
     3: cause to be agitated, excited, or roused; "The speaker
        charged up the crowd with his inflammatory remarks" [syn:
        {agitate}, {turn on}, {charge}, {commove}, {excite}, {charge
        up}] [ant: {calm}]
     4: cause to become awake or conscious; "He was roused by the
        drunken men in the street"; "Please wake me at 6 AM."
        [syn: {awaken}, {wake}, {waken}, {wake up}, {arouse}]
        [ant: {cause to sleep}]