douse
or dowse
to plunge into water or the like; drench: She doused the clothes in soapy water.
to splash or throw water or other liquid on: The children doused each other with the hose.
to extinguish: She quickly doused the candle's flame with her fingertips.
Informal. to remove; doff.
Nautical.
to lower or take in (a sail, mast, or the like) suddenly.
to slacken (a line) suddenly.
to stow quickly.
to plunge or be plunged into a liquid.
British Dialect. a stroke or blow.
Origin of douse
1Words that may be confused with douse
- douse , dowse
Words Nearby douse
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use douse in a sentence
Another douse of fuel on the fire was the Council president vote, which happened in December after the new City Council was sworn in.
VOSD Podcast: Happy V-Day (Vaccines and Vacation Rentals, That Is) | Nate John | February 12, 2021 | Voice of San DiegoThey climb onto the bar and dance while the cocktail waitresses douse them with water guns.
And the Wiener Is…My Trip to Brooklyn’s Smallest Penis Pageant | Tessa Miller | June 16, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTdouse the whole thing with some olive oil and add Himalayan pink sea salt to taste.
Four Fatty (But Healthy!) Power Meals to Fuel Your Day | Ari Meisel | March 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIt was fear of cancer and a douse of hypochondria that brought me to 23andMe in the first place.
23andMe and Me: Why Policymakers Should Set the Genetic Testing Company Free | Charles C. Johnson | February 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSo where did 14-year-old Shaaliver douse get the 9mm pistol he was holding when the NYPD shot him to death?
How Bronx Teen Shaaliver Douse, Killed by Cops, Ended Up With a Gun | Michael Daly | August 10, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Fourteen years later, two rookie cops heard gunfire and saw a now 14-year-old douse coming toward them, that very gun in hand.
How Bronx Teen Shaaliver Douse, Killed by Cops, Ended Up With a Gun | Michael Daly | August 10, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTFor several nights they advised me to "cut out the higher education, douse that light and come to bed."
The Iron Puddler | James J. DavisThey had but to lie close and to douse the lights (which they were quick to do) and their safety was assured.
"douse my top-lights but that's the truth," said the mate, making an effort with his confined hands to salute his officer.
Frank Before Vicksburg | Harry CastlemonThe second douse was flung quickly; he became confused, rushed into the captain's berth, believing he was making his way on deck.
The Shellback's Progress | Walter RuncimanTo that end an occasional little douse of civil war will be a helpful expedient.
The Galley Slave's Ring | Eugne Sue
British Dictionary definitions for douse (1 of 2)
dowse
/ (daʊs) /
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)
an immersion
Origin of douse
1Derived forms of douse
- douser or dowser, noun
British Dictionary definitions for douse (2 of 2)
/ (daʊs) /
nautical to lower (sail) quickly
archaic to strike or beat
archaic a blow
Origin of douse
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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