CHOUS, in the eastern military orders, the title of the messengers of the divan of janifaries. There are several degrees of honour in this post. When a person is first advanced to it, he is called a cuchuk, or little chos; after this he is advanced to be the alloy chous; that is, the messenger of ceremonies; and from this, having passed through the office of petelma, or procurator of the effects of the body, he is advanced to be the bas chous.