douse
verb (used with object)
to plunge into water or the like; drench.
dousing
-
present participleof douse.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Regional firefighting chief Marc Vermeulen warned his teams would still have to spend several days dousing water on remaining flames inside the forest as well as at its edges to avoid it picking up again.
From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026
When not directly dousing the flames, they water the soil and vegetation to prevent future fires from progressing.
From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026
Although crews made initial progress dousing the roof with water, an ammonia gas leak was then discovered inside the building, and several small explosions reinvigorated the flames and smoke.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2026
One video showed him at a nightclub, dancing on a stage wearing a New York Yankees shirt with the name “Cangrejo”—Spanish for “Crab”—on the back and dousing himself with a bottle of water.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 14, 2026
The lieutenant and his men broke down the front door, laid down their hose, and then, as firemen say, “charged the line,” dousing the flames in the kitchen with water.
From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell
