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

"Don't waste your time on the big souse, Jim," said Elaine clutching at the arm of the man who had threatened her.

From Project Gutenberg

Tubs and hose on deck supplied ample means for the morning souse.

From Project Gutenberg

Good master, send for a souse-wife, if youll have my face cleaner.

From Project Gutenberg

Souse Manhattan Island two feet deep in fresh water, and wouldn't the price of quinine rise?

From Project Gutenberg

Now unless Aimwell has made good use of his time, all our fair machine goes souse into the sea like the Eddystone.

From Project Gutenberg