Boisterous, a.
Etymology: [OE. boistous; of uncertain origin; cf. W. bwyst wild, savage, wildness, ferocity, bwystus ferocious.]
1. Rough or rude; unbending; unyielding; strong; powerful. [Obs.] "Boisterous sword." "Boisterous hand." Shak.
2. Exhibiting tumultuous violence and fury; acting with noisy turbulence; violent; rough; stormy. The waters swell before a boisterous storm. Shak. The brute and boisterous force of violent men. Milton.
3. Noisy; rough; turbulent; as, boisterous mirth; boisterous behavior. I like not that loud, boisterous man. Addison.
4. Vehement; excessive. [R.] The heat becomes too powerful and boisterous for them. Woodward.
1 more senses
Syn. -- Loud; roaring; violent; stormy; turbulent; furious; tumultuous; noisy; impetuous; vehement.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists boisterous only as an antonym, under calm.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.