dowse

¹

[dous]

verb (used with or without object)

dowsed, dowsing 

1. douse.

dowse

²

[douz]

verb (used without object)

dowsed, dowsing 

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

verb (used with object)

dowsed, dowsing 

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

dowse

¹

/ daʊs /

verb

1. a variant spelling of douse 1

dowse

²

/ daʊz /

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• dowser noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dowse¹

First recorded in 1685–95; originally dialect (SW England); origin obscure

Word History and Origins

Origin of dowse¹

C17: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

The dowsing rods are handed to Grace who, like David, has been trying them for the first time.

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In the 1990s Alistair Munro, who lives nearby, walked Mantle Walls several times with the dowsing rods he used for locating underground water sources.

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It would just mean the E-Meter plays the same role in this Scientology sin-confession ritual that other divination tools — like pendulums and dowsing rods — play in absolution rituals of other traditions of belief.

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Model colonists must have come to California with dowsing rods packed in their trunks, because job one was always securing water.

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Under its new management, Guinness World Records began dowsing new revenue streams to supplement its book sales.

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