boil¹ / boil/ • v. 1. [tr.] heat (a liquid) to the temperature at which it bubbles and turns to vapor: we tried to get people to boil their drinking water. ∎  (of a liquid) be at or reach this temperature: he waited for the water to boil. ∎  heat (a container) until the liquid in it reaches such a temperature: [tr.] she boiled the kettle and took down a couple of mugs. ∎  [intr.] (of a container) be heated until the liquid in it reaches such a temperature: the kettle boiled and he filled the teapot.2. [tr.] subject (something) to the heat of boiling liquid, in particular: ∎  cook (food) by immersing in boiling water: boil the potatoes until well done [as adj.] (boiled) two boiled eggs. ∎  [intr.] (of food) be cooked in boiling water: make the sauce while the lobsters are boiling.3. [intr.] (of the sea or clouds) be turbulent and stormy: a huge cliff with the black sea boiling below. ∎  (of a person or strong emotion) be stirred up or inflamed: he was boiling with rage.• n. 1. [in sing.] the temperature at which a liquid bubbles and turns to vapor: stir in cream and bring to a boil. ∎  an act or process of heating a liquid to such a temperature. ∎ fig. a state of vigorous activity or excitement. ∎  an area of churning water. ∎ Fishing a sudden rise of a fish at a fly.2. an outdoor meal at which seafood is boiled: everything for a traditional Louisiana seafood boil can be carried down to the beach. ∎ a blend of seasonings added to water to enhance the flavor of boiled seafood: a salt-free seafood boil.PHRASAL VERBS: boil down to be in essence a matter of: everything boiled down to cash in the end.boil over (of a liquid) flow over the sides of the container in boiling. ∎ fig. (of a situation or strong emotion) become so excited or tense as to get out of control: one woman's anger boiled over.boil² • n. an inflamed pus-filled swelling on the skin, typically caused by the infection of a hair follicle.

boil (furuncle) Small, pus-filled swelling on the skin, often around a hair follicle or sebaceous gland. Most boils are caused by infection from a bacterium (staphylococcus).

boil (boil) n. a tender inflamed area of the skin containing pus. The infection is usually caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, which enters through a hair follicle or a break in the skin. Boils usually heal when the pus is released or with antibiotic treatment, though occasionally they may cause more widespread infection. Medical name: furuncle.

boil1 hard inflamed tumour. OE. bȳl, bȳle = OS. būla. OHG. būlla bladder (G. beule), f. *būl- (Cf. Goth. ufbauljan puff up). The form boil dates from XV.

boil2 bubble up with heat. XIII. — AN. boiller, OF. boillir (mod. bouillir) :- L. bullire, f. bulla bubble.
Hence boil sb. XV.