dowse
dowse Lexical Profile
dowse Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To search for underground water, minerals, or other hidden substances using a forked stick or divining rod that supposedly dips or twitches when held over the target.
"Before modern geological surveys became widespread, rural landowners often hired someone to dowse for groundwater before digging a new well."
To pour a liquid over something so as to soak it thoroughly, or to extinguish a fire or light (a variant spelling of douse).
"The campers made sure to dowse the glowing embers with buckets of river water before packing up their tents."
Word Nuance & Usage
In contemporary usage, "dowse" primarily refers to searching for underground water or minerals with a divining rod, whereas the homophone "douse" is preferred for soaking with liquid or extinguishing a fire, though "dowse" remains an accepted variant spelling for "douse".
• Rhymes for dowse
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Attested in the late 17th century among miners in southwestern England (Cornwall and Somerset), the word is of uncertain origin, though possibly related to Middle Low German "dusen" (to strike or fall).