It is often assumed that the wave velocity at the bottom given by potential wave theory il the same as the wave velocity at the top of the turbulent boundary layer. This assumption is found to be the major cause of the error detected by recent elaborate theories and numerical models for the description of velocity profile near the sea bottom. A relationship is suggested between the potential velocity and the real boundary velocity. Based on this relation, the existing theories of Jonsson (1967) and Fredsoe (1984) are refined for the estimation of wave friction factor, and the computation results of the modified theories are favourably compared with the published laboratory results.