'YOS' is an acronym for 'Years of Service', which is a term used to describe the length of time someone has been employed at a particular job. 'Howdies' is a slang term for greetings or salutations, usually used in informal settings. Therefore, the crossword solutions for the term 'HOWDIES' can be summarized as a phrase used to express greetings or salutations, especially when acknowledging someone's years of service.