Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(Aus./US) to loaf around, to wander idly, to dawdle.

1884		J. Harrison ‘Negro English’ in Anglia VII 277: To be broozin’ ‘roun’ = to wander around.
1885		Bulletin (Sydney) 11 Apr. 18/2: Growing suspicious, next morning the landlord requested them to retire and browse elsewhere.
1900		Bulletin (Sydney) 10 Feb. 24/2: Sydney pug-clubs [...] are at outs and don’t bruise in the same yard.
1951		C. Stoker Thicker ’n Thieves 110: ‘But what are you doing here?’ ‘Browsing,’ I told her. ‘I read about your arrest and since this is my district, I thought it advisable to come out and look around’ .