douse

Or dowse

[dous]

verb (used with object)

doused, dousing 

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, dousing 

1. to plunge or be plunged into a liquid.

noun

1. British Dialect.,  a stroke or blow.

douse

¹

/ daʊs /

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

1. an immersion

douse

²

/ daʊs /

verb

1. nautical to lower (sail) quickly

2. archaic,  to strike or beat

noun

1. archaic,  a blow

Other Word Forms

• douser noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of douse¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of douse¹

C16: perhaps related to obsolete douse to strike, of obscure origin

Origin of douse²

C16: of uncertain origin; perhaps related to _douse ¹

Example Sentences

“In many cases, firefighters use water to douse and cool nearby structures to keep the fire from spreading further. This minimizes additional damage to the facilities.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

European captain Luke Donald holds the Ryder Cup trophy as he is doused with champagne while celebrating his team's victory over the United States.

Read more on BBC

This year, however, frustration has doused much of the fun.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Some doused themselves in body spray in the parking lot before joining the line.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Another local, who did not want to give his name, said he had witnessed three "severely burned" people being doused by emergency services and given oxygen.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• deluge 
• drown 
• put out 
• quench 
• saturate 
• smother 
• snuff out 
• soak 
• splash 
• submerge 
• wet