DOUSE

I. verb also dowse (~d; also dowsed; dousing; also dowsing) Etymology: perhaps from obsolete English ~ to smite Date: 1600 transitive verb to plunge into water, 2. to throw a liquid on ; drench , slosh , extinguish , intransitive verb to fall or become plunged into water, ~r also dowser noun II. noun Date: 1881 a heavy drenching, III. noun Etymology: origin unknown Date: circa 1625 blow , stroke , IV. transitive verb (~d; dousing) Date: 1627 1. to take in ; lower , strike , slacken , take off , doff