souse

¹

[ sous ]

verb (used with object)

, soused, sous·ing.

1. to plunge into water or other liquid; immerse.
2. to drench, as with water.

   Synonyms: wet, waterlog, soak, saturate, douse

3. to dash or pour, as water.
4. to steep in pickling brine; pickle.

verb (used without object)

, soused, sous·ing.

1. to plunge into water or other liquid.
2. to be soaked or drenched.
3. to be steeping or soaking in something.

noun

1. an act of sousing.
2. something kept or steeped in pickle, especially the head, ears, and feet of a pig.
3. a liquid used as a pickle.
4. Slang: Disparaging and Offensive. a habitual drinker of alcohol who is frequently intoxicated.

souse

²

[ sous ]

verb (used without object)

, soused, sous·ing.

1. to swoop down.

verb (used with object)

, soused, sous·ing.

1. to swoop or pounce upon.

noun

, Falconry.

1. a rising while in flight.
2. a swooping or pouncing.

souse

¹

/ saʊs /

verb

1. often foll byon or upon to swoop suddenly downwards (on a prey)

noun

1. a sudden downward swoop

souse

²

/ saʊs /

verb

1. to plunge (something, oneself, etc) into water or other liquid
2. to drench or be drenched
3. tr to pour or dash (liquid) over (a person or thing)
4. to steep or cook (food) in a marinade
5. slang.
   tr; usually passive to make drunk

noun

1. the liquid or brine used in pickling
2. the act or process of sousing
3. slang.
   a habitual drunkard

Word History and Origins

Origin of souse¹

First recorded 1350–1400 and in 1915–20 souse ¹fordef 11; Middle English noun souce, sows, from Old French souz, sous, souce “pickled (meat),” from Germanic (akin to salt ¹ ); the verb is derivative of the noun

Origin of souse²

First recorded in 1350–1400; by-form of source in its earlier literal sense “rising”

Word History and Origins

Origin of souse¹

C16: perhaps a variant of obsolete vb sense of source

Origin of souse²

C14: from Old French sous, of Germanic origin; related to Old High German sulza brine

Example Sentences

The initial exhilaration of “Prima Facie” is feeling Comer channel Tessa’s ebullient spirit in the character’s Souse, or Liverpool, cadences, and her success in defying the expectations of those around her.

From Washington Post

Mr. Young is affectionately known as “the head man,” for his knack for cleaning and processing a hog’s head, which in some regions, can be used for “souse,” a head cheese, or the pork- and rice-based dish known as puddin’.

From New York Times

Davis plays Da Mayor, a shambling souse who’s by turns tolerated, mocked and valued by younger people, while Dee’s Mother Sister mostly watches the world pass by.

From New York Times

The briny taste of her souse, pickled pigs’ feet served in an acidic brine, recalled the salty waves.

From New York Times

“I suggest souse,” remarked George, who had been listening to the conversation from across the room.

From Literature