dowse

¹

[ dous ]

verb (used with or without object)

, dowsed, dows·ing,

1. douse.

dowse

²

[ douz ]

verb (used without object)

, dowsed, dows·ing.

1. to search for underground supplies of water, metal, etc., by the use of a divining rod.

verb (used with object)

, dowsed, dows·ing.

1. to search for (as water) by or as if by dowsing.

dowse

¹

/ daʊz /

verb

1. intr to search for underground water, minerals, etc, using a divining rod; divine

dowse

²

/ daʊs /

verb

1. a variant spelling of douse 1

Derived Forms

• ˈdowser, noun
• ˈdowser, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dowse¹

First recorded in 1685–95; originally dialect (SW England); origin obscure

Word History and Origins

Origin of dowse¹

C17: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Separate forest fires have been raging farther north, Anucha noted, including in Chiang Mai province, where water was dumped from the air Wednesday in an effort the dowse the flames.

From Seattle Times

Festooned with tattoos, the guitarist Tom Dowse rocked out, grimacing and jutting out an impudent tongue now and then.

From New York Times

Then her friend Dowse suggested she contribute to a new band he’d pulled together with Buxton and Maynard.

From New York Times

“Scandal after scandal, the levels of corruption and lying at the top of the government, and it feels like it’s almost completely unchallenged,” Dowse said.

From New York Times

“I was thinking a lot about Stephen Malkmus when I was doing my guitar parts, that sort of wonkiness,” Dowse said, explaining that he played a Jazzmaster guitar because “it’s what all the ’90s groups like Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr. used.”

From New York Times