I. verb
also dowse ˈdau̇s also ˈdau̇z
( doused also dowsed ; dous·ing also dows·ing )
Etymology: perhaps from obsolete English douse to smite
Date: 1600
transitive verb
1. : to plunge into water
2.
a. : to throw a liquid on : drench
b. : slosh
3. : extinguish
douse the lights
intransitive verb
: to fall or become plunged into water
• dous·er also dows·er noun
II. ˈdau̇s also ˈdau̇z noun
Date: 1881
: a heavy drenching
III. ˈdüs, ˈdau̇s noun
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: circa 1625
British : blow , stroke
IV. ˈdau̇s transitive verb
( doused ; dous·ing )
Date: 1627
1.
a. : to take in : lower , strike
douse a sail
b. : slacken
douse a rope
2. : take off , doff