From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Boss \Boss\ (b[o^]s), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bossed (b[o^]st); p.
pr. & vb. n. Bossing.] [OE. bocen, fr. OF. bocier. See the
preceding word.]
To ornament with bosses; to stud.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Boss \Boss\, n. [D. baas master.]
A master workman or superintendent; a director or manager; a
political dictator. [Slang, U. S.]
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Boss \Boss\ (b[o^]s; 115), n.; pl. Bosses (-[e^]z). [OE. boce,
bose, boche, OF. boce, boche, bosse, F. bosse, of G. origin;
cf. OHG. b[=o]zo tuft, bunch, OHG. b[=o]zan, MHG. b[^o]zen,
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.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Arch.) A projecting ornament placed at the intersection
of the ribs of ceilings, whether vaulted or flat, and in
other situations.
[1913 Webster]
4. [Cf. D. bus box, Dan. b["o]sse.] 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.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
6. A head or reservoir of water. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]