dowse

[dous]

verb (used with or without object), dowsed, dows·ing, noun

douse.

dowse

[douz]

verb (used without object), dowsed, dows·ing.

to search for underground supplies of water, metal, etc., by the use of a divining rod.

verb (used with object), dowsed, dows·ing.

to search for (as water) by or as if by dowsing.

Origin of dowse

First recorded in 1685–95; orig. dial. (SW England); origin obscure

Can be confuseddouse dowse

douse

or dowse

[dous]

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

Can be confuseddouse dowse

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for dowsing

Historical Examples of dowsing

It has been humorously conjectured, that from this ruthless devastator originated the phrase to give a Dowsing.
Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 1 (of 3)
Isaac D'Israeli
Another phase of psychic activity is that illustrated in "dowsing" or water-finding by means of the hazel fork.
Second Sight
Sepharial
The entrance door is medival, probably removed from elsewhere to replace the doorway defaced by Dowsing.
Cambridge and its Story
Charles William Stubbs
The divining, or "dowsing," rod of Dousterswivel still keeps its place in mining superstition and in the search for wells.
The Antiquary, Complete
Sir Walter Scott
The neighbouring village of Stetchworth (or Stretchworth) also suffered in Dowsing's visitation.
Highways and Byways in Cambridge and Ely
Rev. Edward Conybeare.

British Dictionary definitions for dowsing

dowse

verb, noun

a variant spelling of douse 1

Derived Formsdowser, noun

dowse

verb

(intr) to search for underground water, minerals, etc, using a divining rod; divine

Derived Formsdowser, noun

Word Origin for dowse

C17: of unknown origin

douse

dowse

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 Formsdouser or dowser, noun

Word Origin for douse

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

douse

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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for dowsing

douse

1550s, "to strike, punch," which is perhaps from Middle Dutch dossen "beat forcefully" or a similar Low German word.

Meaning "to strike a sail in haste" is recorded from 1620s; that of "to extinguish (a light)" is from 1785; perhaps influenced by dout (1520s), an obsolete contraction of do out (cf. doff, don). OED regards the meaning "to plunge into water, to throw water over" (c.1600) as a separate word, of unknown origin, though admitting there may be a connection of some sort. Related: Doused; dousing.

dowse

1690s, a south England dialect word, of uncertain origin, said to have been introduced to Devon by German miners in Elizabethan times. Related: Dowsed; dowsing.