douse
or dowse
[ dous ]
/ daʊs /
verb (used with object), doused, dous·ing.
verb (used without object), doused, dous·ing.
to plunge or be plunged into a liquid.
noun
British Dialect. a stroke or blow.
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“I do believe that the buck stops here, that I cannot rely upon public opinion polls to tell me what is right. I do believe that right makes might and that if I am wrong, 10 angels swearing I was right would make no difference.”
Origin of douse
First recorded in 1590–1600; origin uncertain
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH douse
douse , dowseWords nearby douse
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for douse
British Dictionary definitions for douse (1 of 2)
douse1
dowse
/ (daʊs) /
verb
to plunge or be plunged into water or some other liquid; duck
(tr) to drench with water, esp in order to wash or clean
(tr) to put out (a light, candle, etc)
noun
an immersion
Derived forms of douse
douser or dowser, nounWord Origin for douse
C16: perhaps related to obsolete douse to strike, of obscure origin
British Dictionary definitions for douse (2 of 2)
douse2
/ (daʊs) /
verb (tr)
nautical to lower (sail) quickly
archaic to strike or beat
noun
archaic a blow
Word Origin for douse
C16: of uncertain origin; perhaps related to douse 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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