douse

¹douse

verb \ˈdau̇s also ˈdau̇z\

doused also dowseddous·ing also dows·ing

Definition of DOUSE

transitive verb

1

: to plunge into water

2

a : to throw a liquid on : drench

b : slosh

3

: extinguish <douse the lights>

intransitive verb

: to fall or become plunged into water

— dous·er also dows·er noun

Variants of DOUSE

douse also dowse \ˈdau̇s also ˈdau̇z\

Origin of DOUSE

perhaps from obsolete English douse to smite

First Known Use: 1600

Rhymes with DOUSE

blouse, bowse, browse, dowse, drowse, house, mouse, rouse, spouse, touse

²douse

noun \ˈdau̇s also ˈdau̇z\

Definition of DOUSE

: a heavy drenching

First Known Use of DOUSE

1881

³douse

noun \ˈdüs, ˈdau̇s\

Definition of DOUSE

British

: blow, stroke

Origin of DOUSE

origin unknown

First Known Use: circa 1625

Rhymes with DOUSE

blouse, chiaus, chouse, gauss, Gauss, grouse, house, Klaus, Laos, louse, mouse, scouse, souse, spouse

⁴douse

transitive verb \ˈdau̇s\

douseddous·ing

Definition of DOUSE

1

a : to take in : lower, strike <douse a sail>

b : slacken <douse a rope>

2

: take off, doff

First Known Use of DOUSE

1627