Definition of douse
doused
alsodowsed
;dousing
alsodowsing
transitive verb
1 : to plunge into water Blanch the green beans then douse them in a bath of ice water.
2a : to throw a liquid on : drench The books were doused in gasoline and set ablaze. doused herself in perfumeb : slosh
3 [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 commonlydowser
nounFrom the M-W Editors
Origin and Etymology of douse
of obscure origin ◆16th-century douse “to strike, inflict a blow on” may be related but is remote in sense
First Known Use: 1600
Origin and Etymology of douse
noun derivative of 1douse
First Known Use: 1881
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
First Known Use: circa 1625
Origin and Etymology of douse
perhaps sense extensions of earlier douse “to strike, inflict a blow on” — more at 3douse
First Known Use: 1627
DOUSE Defined for Kids
douse
playDefinition 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
Learn More about douse
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See words that rhyme with douse Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for douse Spanish Central: Translation of douse Nglish: Translation of douse for Spanish speakers
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