douse

1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈdau̇s 

also

ˈdau̇z 

variants or less commonly dowse

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

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 noun

or less commonly dowser

douse

2 of 2

verb (2)

ˈdau̇s 

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

Synonyms of douse

Verb (1)

• remove

Examples of douse in a Sentence

Verb (1)

in those days a gentleman would douse his hat when going indoors

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

That allowed firefighters to douse flames while a marine layer helped them by increasing humidity. —Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026

Images from the scene showed firefighters trying to douse the blaze as thick smoke billowed from the building. —ABC News, 3 June 2026

The Fire Authority initially responded to the incident Thursday afternoon by dousing the tank in water and issuing an evacuation order for surrounding streets that was lifted that evening. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026

Firefighters were seen using extended ladders to douse the flames from above. —Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 24 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

of obscure origin

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

Verb (2)

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

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1566, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Verb (2)

1627, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for douse

• blouse
• bouse
• dowse
• grouse
• haus
• louse
• mouse
• rouse
• spouse
• youse
• alehouse
• almshouse

Kids Definition

douse

verb

variants also dowse

ˈdau̇s

also ˈdau̇z

doused also dowsed; dousing also dowsing

1

a

: to stick into water

b

: to throw a liquid on

2

: to put out : extinguish

douse the lights