douse

or dowse

[ dous ]

See synonyms for: douse doused on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),doused, dous·ing.

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.

verb (used without object),doused, dous·ing.

to plunge or be plunged into a liquid.

noun

British Dialect. a stroke or blow.

Origin of douse

First recorded in 1590–1600; origin uncertain

Words 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 Diego
They 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 BEAST
douse 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 BEAST
It 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 BEAST
So 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 BEAST
For several nights they advised me to "cut out the higher education, douse that light and come to bed."
The Iron Puddler | James J. Davis
They had but to lie close and to douse the lights (which they were quick to do) and their safety was assured.
The Strand Magazine, Volume XXVII, January 1904, No. 157 | Various
"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 Castlemon
The 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 Runciman
To 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)

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

Origin of douse

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

Derived forms of douse

douser or dowser, noun

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

Origin of douse

C16: of uncertain origin; perhaps related to douse 1

Collins 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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