douse

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verb \ ˈdau̇s also ˈdau̇z \

variants: or less commonly dowse

Definition of douse

doused also dowsed; dousing also dowsing

transitive verb

1 :to plunge into water

Blanch the green beans then douse them in a bath of ice water.

2 a :to throw a liquid on :drench

The books were doused in gasoline and set ablaze.

doused herself in perfume

b :slosh

[originally in argot use (douse the glim meaning "extinguish the light") and perhaps of distinct origin]

:extinguish

douse the lights

douse the blaze

intransitive verb

:to fall or become plunged into water

—

douser

or less commonly dowser noun

Origin and Etymology of douse

of obscure origin

Note: 16th-century douse "to strike, inflict a blow on" — see ³douse may be related but is remote in sense

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1600

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douse

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noun \ ˈdau̇s also ˈdau̇z \

Definition of douse

:a heavy drenching

a douse of cold water

Origin and Etymology of douse

noun derivative of ¹douse

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1881

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douse

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noun \ ˈdüs , ˈdau̇s \

Definition of douse

British

:blow, stroke

Origin and Etymology of douse

noun derivative of earlier douse "to strike, inflict a blow on," akin by borrowing or descent to Middle Dutch dossen "to strike, shove," Early Modern Dutch doesen, German dialect dusen, tusen, tausen

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1625

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douse

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verb \ ˈdau̇s \

Definition of douse

doused; dousing

transitive verb

1 nautical

a :to take in :lower, strike

douse a sail

b :slacken

douse a rope

2 :take off, doff

doused his hat

Origin and Etymology of douse

perhaps sense extensions of earlier douse "to strike, inflict a blow on" — more at ³douse

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1627

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DOUSE Defined for Kids

douse

play

verb \ ˈdau̇s \

Definition of douse for Students

doused; dousing

1 :to stick into water

He doused his head in the stream.

2 :to throw a liquid on

The chef doused the shrimp in sauce.

3 :to put out :extinguish

douse a light

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