(1) To view the contents of a file or a group of files. Browser programs generally let you view data by scrolling through the documents or databases. In a database program, the browse mode often lets you edit the data. See Web browser.

(2) To view and edit a flow chart of a system created in a program specialized for visual system design or to view and edit a class hierarchy of objects in an object-oriented programming language.

(3) In Windows, the Browse button lets you view the file names in your disk folders. Clicking the names of the drives and folders switches you to those locations.