douse
douse Lexical Profile
douse Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To pour a liquid over something; to drench or soak thoroughly.
"The chef decided to douse the roasted vegetables in olive oil before serving."
To extinguish or put out (a fire or light).
"Be sure to douse the campfire completely before heading into your tent for the night."
To lower or slacken (a sail) quickly (in nautical usage).
"The captain ordered the crew to douse the topsail as the squall approached."
• noun
A drenching with liquid or a sudden plunge into water.
"A quick douse of cold water woke the sleepy campers right up."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'douse' with 'dowse'; in modern standard usage, 'douse' means to pour liquid over or extinguish a fire, whereas 'dowse' specifically refers to searching for underground water or minerals using a divining rod.
• Rhymes for douse
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in the late 16th century, probably of Low German or Dutch origin (compare Middle Low German dusen, meaning to strike or fall heavily), later influenced by nautical and dialectal senses of plunging into water.