Billow \Bil"low\, n. [Cf. Icel. bylgja billow, Dan. b["o]lge, Sw. b["o]lja; akin to MHG. bulge billow, bag, and to E. bulge. See {Bulge}.] 1. A great wave or surge of the sea or other water, caused usually by violent wind.
Whom the winds waft where'er the billows roll. --Cowper.
2. A great wave or flood of anything. --Milton.
Billow \Bil"low\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Billowed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Billowing}.] To surge; to rise and roll in waves or surges; to undulate. ``The billowing snow.'' --Prior.
Some of the same gusty relatives tack and billow across the screen, as turbulent variations are played on the theme of family life.
"We could see the big billow going up into the air," she said. "We watched it all day.