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dowser

American  
[dou-zer] / ˈdaʊ zər /

noun

  1. Also called dowsing roddivining rod.

  2. a person skilled in its use.


Etymology

Origin of dowser

First recorded in 1830–40; dowse 2 + -er 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Larry Bird, another Northern California dowser, told me his grandfather had “witching sticks,” and he picked up the craft.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 13, 2022

Angelo was up and down finding water like a dowser while Joel and Kelly bootlaced left and right, and Jack dashed through the woods as if in perpetual search for a shaded Port-o-John.

From Golf Digest Apr. 16, 2020

As it turned out, Mr. Michele was perhaps not so much a savant as some kind of cultural dowser, wandering the landscape with a trusty witching wand.

From New York Times Jan. 15, 2020

Kidder, 58, thought the labyrinth should go on the side of her yard but chose to consult a dowser, someone who read the earth’s energy through wooden rods.

From Washington Post Apr. 20, 2016

Mrs. Jarvis claims her sister is a legitimate dowser, and can find water for a “nominal fee.”

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

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