dowse

dowse 1[dous] Examples verb (used with or without object), dowsed, dows·ing, noun

1. douse.

dowse 2[douz] verb (used without object), dowsed, dows·ing.

1. to search for underground supplies of water, metal, etc., by the use of a divining rod.

verb (used with object), dowsed, dows·ing.

2. to search for (as water) by or as if by dowsing.

Origin of dowse 2First recorded in 1685–95; orig. dial. (SW England); origin obscureCan be confuseddouse dowse douse or dowse [dous] verb (used with object), doused, dous·ing.

1. to plunge into water or the like; drench: She doused the clothes in soapy water.
2. to splash or throw water or other liquid on: The children doused each other with the hose.
3. to extinguish: She quickly doused the candle’s flame with her fingertips.
4. Informal. to remove; doff.
5. Nautical.
   1. to lower or take in (a sail, mast, or the like) suddenly.
   2. to slacken (a line) suddenly.
   3. to stow quickly.

verb (used without object), doused, dous·ing.

6. to plunge or be plunged into a liquid.

noun

7. British Dialect. a stroke or blow.

Origin of douse First recorded in 1590–1600; origin uncertainCan be confuseddouse dowse Examples from the Web for dowse Historical Examples of dowse

In the rooms of that society is preserved the Dowse Library.

The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 16, No. 97, November, 1865

Various

Sing out when you’re in bed, and I’ll come and dowse the lights.

Shining Ferry

Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch

“You are not going to Mr. and Mrs. Dowse, Violet,” said he promptly.

The Galaxy

Various

And there’s a pail of water and soap there by the doorway; it will do you no harm to dowse with it.

The Pioneers

Katharine Susannah Prichard

“Dowse that, Billy, and bear a hand and be quiet,” said Crennell.

The Deemster

Hall Caine

British Dictionary definitions for dowse dowse 1 verb, noun

1. a variant spelling of douse 1

Derived Formsdowser, noun dowse 2 verb

1. (intr) to search for underground water, minerals, etc, using a divining rod; divine

Derived Formsdowser, nounWord Origin for dowse C17: of unknown origin douse 1dowse verb

1. to plunge or be plunged into water or some other liquid; duck
2. (tr) to drench with water, esp in order to wash or clean
3. (tr) to put out (a light, candle, etc)

noun

4. an immersion

Derived Formsdouser or dowser, nounWord Origin for douse C16: perhaps related to obsolete douse to strike, of obscure origin douse 2 verb (tr)

1. nautical to lower (sail) quickly
2. archaic to strike or beat

noun

3. archaic a blow

Word Origin for douse C16: of uncertain origin; perhaps related to douse 1 Word Origin and History for dowse v.

1690s, a south England dialect word, of uncertain origin, said to have been introduced to Devon by German miners in Elizabethan times. Related: Dowsed; dowsing.

douse v.

1550s, “to strike, punch,” which is perhaps from Middle Dutch dossen “beat forcefully” or a similar Low German word.

Meaning “to strike a sail in haste” is recorded from 1620s; that of “to extinguish (a light)” is from 1785; perhaps influenced by dout (1520s), an obsolete contraction of do out (cf. doff, don). OED regards the meaning “to plunge into water, to throw water over” (c.1600) as a separate word, of unknown origin, though admitting there may be a connection of some sort. Related: Doused; dousing.