douse

or dowse

[ dous ]

verb (used with object)

, doused, dous·ing.

1. to plunge into water or the like; drench:

   She doused the clothes in soapy water.

2. to splash or throw water or other liquid on:

   The children doused each other with the hose.

3. to extinguish:

   She quickly doused the candle's flame with her fingertips.

4. Informal. to remove; doff.
5. Nautical.
   1. to lower or take in (a sail, mast, or the like) suddenly.
   2. to slacken (a line) suddenly.
   3. to stow quickly.

verb (used without object)

, doused, dous·ing.

1. to plunge or be plunged into a liquid.

noun

1. British Dialect. a stroke or blow.

douse

¹

/ daʊs /

verb

1. to plunge or be plunged into water or some other liquid; duck
2. tr to drench with water, esp in order to wash or clean
3. tr to put out (a light, candle, etc)

noun

1. an immersion

douse

²

/ daʊs /

verb

1. nautical to lower (sail) quickly
2. archaic.
   to strike or beat

noun

1. archaic.
   a blow

Derived Forms

• ˈdouser, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of douse¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of douse¹

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

Origin of douse²

C16: of uncertain origin; perhaps related to douse ¹

Example Sentences

Another douse of fuel on the fire was the Council president vote, which happened in December after the new City Council was sworn in.

From Voice of San Diego

They climb onto the bar and dance while the cocktail waitresses douse them with water guns.

From The Daily Beast

Douse the whole thing with some olive oil and add Himalayan pink sea salt to taste.

From The Daily Beast

It was fear of cancer and a douse of hypochondria that brought me to 23andMe in the first place.

From 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?

From 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.

From The Daily Beast

For several nights they advised me to "cut out the higher education, douse that light and come to bed."

From Project Gutenberg

They had but to lie close and to douse the lights (which they were quick to do) and their safety was assured.

From Project Gutenberg

"Douse my top-lights but that's the truth," said the mate, making an effort with his confined hands to salute his officer.

From Project Gutenberg

The second douse was flung quickly; he became confused, rushed into the captain's berth, believing he was making his way on deck.

From Project Gutenberg

To that end an occasional little douse of civil war will be a helpful expedient.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• deluge
• drown
• put out
• quench
• saturate
• smother
• snuff out
• soak
• splash
• submerge
• wet