Webster's English Dictionary

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boil

1. boil \'bo.i(*)l\ n [alter. of ME bile, fr. OE by-l] : a localized 
   swelling and inflammation of the skin resulting from infecti on in a skin 
   gland, having a hard central core, and forming pus
2. boil vb [ME boilen, fr. OF boillir, fr. L bullire to bubble, fr. b]ulla 
   bubble 1a: to generate bubbles of vapor when heated - used of a liquid  1b: 
   to come to the boiling point  2: to become agitated like boiling water : 
   SEETHE  3: to be moved, excited, or stirred up  4a: to rush headlong  4b: 
   to burst forth : ERUPT  5: to undergo the action of a boiling liquid  1: to 
   subject to the action of a boiling liquid  2: to heat to the boiling point  
   3: to form or separate (as sugar or salt) by boiling 
3. boil n : the act or state of boiling