water-witch

¹

[waw-ter-wich, wot-er-]

verb (used without object)

1. to practice water witching; work as a water witch.

water witch

²

noun

1. Also water witcher. a person skilled at water witching; dowser.

2. a witch believed to haunt lakes, ponds, etc.

water witch

noun

1. a person who claims the ability to detect water underground by means of a divining rod

Word History and Origins

Origin of water-witch¹

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20

Example Sentences

The American Society of Dowsers says it has about 2,000 members, several of whom are working water witches.

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She was dubbed the “water witch” by her adversaries.

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How many rural dowsers or water witches are still around is an open question.

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“He knows more about water than anybody around here. He’s a water witch and a well-digger too. He’ll tell you. He’s put down half the wells in this part of the valley.”

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“My father threw me down a well the day I was bom, but I was so ugly that the water witch who lived down there spat me back.”

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